Essay Framework revamp.

Thesis statement: Intentions of Harian Metro and freemalaysiatoday on national controversial news through the insights of binary opposition.

Introduction
- Newspaper choice (Harian Metro and freemalaysiatoday)
- Story choice (Interlok)


Brief background on the novel Interlok
- Author
- How the controversy came about


The target market of Harian Metro and freemalaysiatoday
- primary target audience
- diversity due to ownership of media corporations
- brief info on their overall tone due to their market 


The comparison and contrast between Harian Metro and freemalaysiatoday using binary opposition.

Comparison 

• media bias from both sides of newspapers. FMT and HM are both bias towards a group. FMT is bias towards those who oppose the government while HM is bias towards the gov (due to media prima who are due to umno). Both also uses rhetorical figures to tempt viewers into seeing things their way.  Binary opposition point 1: What FMT does is being what others are not and is doing only in opposition to others political parties owned newspapers)

Positive : Negative reactions

• Both FMT and HM only tells stories of people who strongly supports the withdrawal of the book and those who does not. Neither of them speaks of the in between solutions that has been proposed. Gatekeeping. Binary opposition point 2: Ambiguities. Binary logic in which both papers structured the story into two binary opposed categories (support and oppose) and tabooed those which fall in between (proposed win-win solutions which were not heeded).

Contrast 

• Semiotics analysis. FMT and HM uses a vastly different vocabulary and tone of voice. Along with images and headlines. FMT shows intensification/ provocation while HM shows formality/ pacification. Binary opposition point 3: the ideological productivity of binaries. FMT invoked talks about the 2008 general elections issues to damn the government while HM uses prettified words to pacify the controversy.

Conclusion

tba

Essay Framework.

Question 1: Analyse in detail the coverage of a single story, comprising of text and images, in two contrasting newspapers or magazines, one of which should be a South East Asian publication. Compare and contrast the techniques used and the target market for each sample.


Introduction
- Newspaper choice (Harian Metro and freemalaysiatoday)
- Story choice (Interlok)


Brief background on the novel Interlok
- Author
- How the controversy came about


The target market of Harian Metro and freemalaysiatoday
- primary target audience
- brief info on their overall tone due to their market


Techniques to compare and contrast:

- Semiotic Analysis of headline
   - Tone of voice
   - Choice of words


- Semiotic Analysis of contents
   - Tone of voice
   - Choice of words (syntagm and paradigm)
   - Choice of coverage


- Semiotic Analysis of images
   - Camera angle 
   - Connotation of the images

Conclusion

Semiotic Analysis. (Image)

Harian Metro:

Hamid, A. (2011). Interlok selami keindahan budi, bukan penghinaan kaum. [image online] Available at: <http://202.170.56.249/images/stories/15_Januari_2011_-_Interlok_metro.jpg> [Accessed on: 28 June, 2014]

The image is a medium closed up shot. Very closed up shot usually creates intimacy of the image with the audience while long shots is able to put a distance between the viewers and the image, totally detaching them from getting further into reading the news. In this case, the best angle was the one chosen, similar to those of news programs where only the half body of the reporter will be shown. The photograph is also leaning to a slight low angle, giving it a more balanced feel and at the same time diminishing the significance of these professionals so as to not overpower the eye of the viewers with their authority. The lens used was a normal one for no distortion can be seen from the photograph. The image too is able to capture the intensity of the debate that once happened and formality of the entire event based on their dress code. Connotations of this image: Formality.

The things used to analyse this image like shot size and camera angles, all of these are signifiers and belong in the paradigm of shots.

freemalaysiatoday:

[freemalaysiatoday] 2011. [image online] Available at: <http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/opinion/2011/01/19/respect-and-unity-not-with-interlok/> [Accessed on: 28 June, 2014]

This is the image found attached with the article and is basically a montage of a bunch of highschool students with a few copies of the Interlok book, along with the cover of the book as backdrop.

The shot of the students was rather close up, increasing the intimacy of the image to the audience with the intention of sparking the audience's emotion. There are also two student in the image, seemingly giving eye contact, capable of establishing connection and influencing the viewers. The camera angle was slightly up, loosening the overall intense mood, in which was brought in back with the colour of the brown. The lens used was normal for no distortion could be seen in the image. This image, although is able to capture the intensity of the mood, it is however, different from the one from HM. Again, HM's image focus on the prim and proper, while the image in freemalaysiatoday on the other hand prioritise on the mood, using a mismatch way to form the picture. Connotation of this image: Intensity.

The things used to analyse this image was shot size and camera angles, all of these are signifiers and belong in the paradigm of shots.

References:

Kidd, V. (1998) the Audience's Point of View: Production Appeals. [online] Available at: <http://www.csus.edu/indiv/k/kiddv/ProductionTechniques.htm> [Accessed on: 15 July, 2014]

Semiotic Analysis. (Content)

signifier signified paradigm syntagm

Syntagm is a combinations of words. Paradigm the words available to choose.

Harian Metro:

Words belonging to the 'unobstrusive yet more proper' paradigm:

• pengguguran (removing)
• didakwa (accused)
• nadir (rare)
• kepelbagaian (variety)
• bersepadu (unity)
• sosiobudaya (socio culture)
• mewajarkan (encouraged)

Sentences with the following words from above, forming a rather 'discreet' syntagm:

• "...agar ia dikekalkan sebagai teks tanpa pengguguran sebarang perkataan yang didakwa sensitif..."

• "...sebagai karya sastera nadir atau jarang dihasilkan yang menerapkan kepelbagaian bangsa dan perpaduan..."

• "...meminta Interlok dibaca secara bersepadu dan tidak mengambilnya dalam bentuk frasa..."

• "...disebut untuk menunjukkan sosiobudaya watak Maniam..."

With a few of some plainer words, the sentences which were formed in the article became a whole lot more careful. Many of the words which I've typed above could easily be replaced by others but if done so, the discreetness would be erased and the article will then emerged to something more improper and loses it's overall formality.

In the case of this sentence as an example, "...meminta Interlok dibaca secara bersepadu dan tidak mengambilnya dalam bentuk frasa..."

the word bersepadu can be replaced with bersama-sama, still conveying the same meaning. However, when put together,

"...meminta Interlok dibaca bersama-sama dan tidak mengambilnya dalam bentuk frasa..."

the sentence loses the vibe it originally has. The whole vibe of karangan berformat. (essay with fromat). The article too eventually becomes more of a safe writing with barely any emotional outburst from the author.

The article too primarily contains quotes from professional's interviews, forming an emphasis on points which supports Interlok. Subtly, tying it all back to the headline. The article denotes that the book needs to be appreciated but connotes that it is a gem worth reading by every student.

freemalaysiatoday:

Words belonging to the more 'intense' paradigm:

• Raw nerve
• derogatory
• bulldozed
• sanctioned
• warped
• merely

Sentences with the following words from above, forming an 'argumentative' syntagm:

• "...has touched the raw nerve of a community in multiracial Malaysia..."

• "...has angered Indians in this country much like the derogatory word..."

• "...Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka bulldozed the community's view and sanctioned it as an..."

• "...Interlok offers a warped perspective and will only..."

• "...in history textbooks in schools merely raise speculations..."

As compared to the article from HM, a huge contrast can be observed. In this article, the words used, the tone of voice and also the sentence structure, all of which are neither formal or proper. In fact, it is highly opinionated and harsher in certain extent. It's choice of words too are way stronger than what was used in HM, easily bringing it to the path of an argumentative essay. 

Also, there were no excerpts of interviews from any officials or professors present in the article, only facts. In certain area of the article (ex: when telling of the history of the word), a more narrative, everyday linguistic code was used while in HM, a more stylized, literature code. The article in general denotes that the book was not suitable to be included in the form 5 syllabus and connotes that the higher ups like the PM was not genuine when said that the book is meant to promote the 1 Malaysia spirit.

Coming up next: Semiotic analysis (Images)

References:

Chandler, D. (2013) Semiotics for Beginners. Paradigms and Syntagms. [online] (3 July, 2014) Available at: <http://visual-memory.co.uk/daniel/Documents/S4B/sem03.html> [Accessed on: 9 July, 2014]

Semiotic Analysis. (Headlines)

Confirmed newspaper, Harian Metro (HM) and freemalaysiatoday.

Headline semiotics analysis:
Harian Metro:

"Interlok selami keindahan bumi, bukan penghinaan kaum." (Interlok soaks up the beauty of earth, not an insult of race)

HM uses a rather distinctive malay literature vocabulary. The expressive style which constantly link the phrase with the land and the seas. Often used in malay poems/sajaks and syairs. This in turn enable the headline to tie back in nicely to the article which primarily talks about professors and lecturers who further discuss on the issue of Interlok and where they all are in the field of education who majors in literature.

Interlok selami keindahan bumi denotes the book which brings upon the beauty of the earth. The connotation of this phrase on the other hand is trying to say that the book holds up the country's beauty in language and the significance of the historical events that were portray in it. This also connotes familiarity as school graduates would be able to identify it with the style of malay literature rather easily, bringing them closer to the article.

Bukan penghinaan kaum really just means the book isn't trying to insult any particular race, clearly suggesting/giving signs that the article is mostly on how people are trying to defend the book instead of siding with the opposing community.


freemalaysiatoday:

"Respect and Unity? Not with Interlok."

freemalaysiatoday uses a more straight forward and argumentative approach. It also differs in terms of typographic codes when compared to HM. While HM strives to connotes formality within its headline due to it being a printed medium with political holdbacks, freemalaysiatoday connotes more of a 'let's have a discussion but first let me tell you why this is this' attitude. This headline too is suggesting that this article will be more questionable and evidence based.

This later brings out the myth that established newspaper bound with histories are supposed to write an article using a more formal approach while independent online portals are opinion based and has a little more attitude. (for now basing only on headlines)


tldr; Harian metro headline is using a more artsy code while freemalaysiatoday uses an argumentative code.

Coming up next: Semiotic analysis. (content)


References:

Chandler, D. (2013) D.I.Y Semiotic Analysis: Advice to my own students. [online] (3 July, 2014.) Available at: <http://users.aber.ac.uk/dgc/Documents/S4B/sem12.html> [Accessed on: 7 July, 2014]

Gambles, H. (1998) A Semiotic Analysis on a Newspaper Story. [Online] Available at: <http://www.aber.ac.uk/media/Students/hlg9501.html> [Accessed on: 7 July, 2014]

Elections

From the interview, link, which talks about the play 'Parah': 

• The coming election during the time has affected the issue of Interlok.

• Literature isn't a museum of culture. Literature is organic, you're suppose to challenge it. Not modify to a way where you are protected from it. Precisely because of that, we don't call ourselves Malaysians. We categorize every of us into 4 different categories. Malay, Chinese, Indian dan lain-lain.

The point which I find interesting would be the elections. With elections being the country's primary concern, parties of every sector would find any news that disrupts the harmony between races a sore. One wrong coverage would bring their supporters to a downhill while certain would take advantage of such issue to bring in more issues. Political strategies I would presume.

Newspapers owned by UMNO: Utusan Malaysia

Newspapers linked to UMNO: Harian Metro, New Straits Times and Berita Harian.(All are under New Straits Times Press which is also under Media Prima which somehow or rather is linked to UMNO) (Netto, 2007)

Newspaper owned by MCA: The Star

With Utusan Malaysia under the ownership of UMNO, it is not a surprise that the burning of the Interlok book was written in ways which tells of how officials are defending the rights of the Indian community and how they are rationally analysing the situation. All in all, knowing that the elections are coming, it's written in away that could produce the least of a response yet still covering the story.

Same goes to Berita Harian and Harian Metro. The one newspaper which constantly highlights the beauty of language and that the novel is not breaking us apart. Go, go 1 Malaysia.

The Star, being owned by MCA, who is under Barisan Nasional too of course, speaks of how the book should be perceived. Trying to soothe the anger of the Indian community by explaining the come about of the book with historical events.

Independent newspapers however shows a completely different output. freemalaysiatoday is harsher when it comes to commenting, siding no sides and is rather critical, unlike the media which are owned by political parties. All parts too are analysed and is confidently portrayed in the article. Not being bound by the elections, views on the issue too are straight forward.

Perhaps the elections did affect how the coverage of Interlok issue is written. Or maybe it is just due to being bounded by political parties that articles are written in such. One way or another, government involvement does gives you different outputs even if it's the same coverage.

Coming up next: Semiotics analysis. (headlines)


References:

Doraisingam, A, Jacobs, J and Kukathas, J. (2012) Parah - By Alfian Saat, The Bigger Picture. [podcast] 31 January, 2012. Available at: <http://www.bfm.my/parah-interlok.html> [Accessed on: 5 July, 2014]

Media Prima. (2014) NSTP | The New Straits Times Press (Malaysia) Berhad. [online] Available at: <http://www.mediaprima.com.my/business/business-nstp.aspx#> [Accessed on: 5 July, 2014]

Netto, A. (2007) Malaysian media giant grasps for Internet. Asia Times. [online] 29 November, 2007. Available at: <http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/IK29Ae02.html> [Accessed on: 5 July, 2014]

Target audiences.

Commented on Hui Ting's blog.
Commented on Ee Leng's blog.

In response to Daniel's comment: I sadly am unable to find a malaysia tamil newspaper coverage due to the very limited sites available. And their archives have nothing.

However, I've found coverage on Interlok from this India online news portal with quite an amusing article. 'Malaysian govt panel looks into controversial book.' Generally, this article talks about how the Malaysian govt is dealing the racial issues caused by Interlok and responses from multiple officials towards the book. It also adds on brief information on rallies and parties which are rioting around. Eventhough the Indian citizens were the ones who are strongly disapproving over the government's decision of keeping the Interlok novel as a compulsory textbook, the Indian community in India however, are not giving much of a response. In fact, they only started having coverage on the issue a month after and with a rather sarcastic article to boot. Multiple times, have this article highlights on how minority the Indian ethnic is in Malaysia when compared. Along with the usage of quotation marks plus points which shoots down the opposing Indian community leaders entirely. Little things which gave me the impression that the community in India is finding the fight fought strongly by the Indian leaders of Malaysia pointless.


Target audience analysis:

Harian Metro: 

First Malay daily afternoon tabloid newspaper in Malaysia.

Publishing house: The News Straits Times Press(M) Bhd
Geographic coverage: National/semi national
Media type: National/regional newspaper
Targeted to: Malay readers, young people looking for entertainment/shopping news and lifestyle features (Publicitas, 2014)

According to alexa, link here, the general audiences are:

Males > Females
Mostly school graduates
Usually read at homes
95.9% of the readers are Malaysians where the remaining few are Indonesia and United States. (in terms of the online portal)


freemalaysiatoday:

Independent online newspaper which aims to report events of the country truthfully in which they complain about how traditional media outlets are really lacking in reliable information. (freemalaysiatoday, 2014)

Owner: MToday News Sdn Bhd
Geographic coverage: National/semi national
Media type: Daily online newspaper
Targeted to: Citizens of Malaysia. (no specific target group for they are striving for change) Link.

According to alexa, link here, the general audiences are:

Males > Females
Almost everyone is school graduates
Usually read during work
86.9% of the readers are Malaysians, 2.8% India, 2.0% United States and remaining few from Singapore and Pakistan.


india.com:

India online newspaper.

Partners: ZEE, PMC, United Internet
Geographic coverage: National/semi national (Entertainment/news and sports)
Media type: Daily online newspaper
Targeted to: new-age Indian
(India, 2014)

According to alexa, link here, the general audiences are:

Males > Females
Almost everyone is school graduates
Read during work
82.1% of the readers are from India, 3.7% Bangladesh, 3.3% US and remaining ones from Pakistan and UK.


Coming up next: Analysis on this interview about the play Parah. Link.


References:

Alexa. (2014b) Who visits freemalaysiatoday.com? [Online] Available at: <http://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.freemalaysiatoday.com> [Accessed on: 4 July, 2014]

Alexa. (2014c) Who visits hmetro.com.my? [Online] Available at: <http://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hmetro.com.my> [Accessed on: 4 July, 2014]

Alexa. (2014a) Who visits india.com? [Online] Available at: <http://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.india.com> [Accessed on: 4 July, 2014]

freemalaysiatoday. (2014) About us. [Online] Available at: <http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/about/> [Accessed on: 4 July, 2014]

India. (2014) About us. [Online] Available at: <http://www.india.com/about-us/> [Accessed on: 4 July, 2014]

India. (2011) Malaysian govt panel looks into controversial book. India. [Online] 16 February, 2011. Available at: <http://zeenews.india.com/news/world/malaysian-govt-panel-looks-into-controversial-book_687774.html> [Accessed on: 4 July, 2014]

Publicitas. (n.d.) Harian Metro. [Online] Available at: <http://www.publicitas.com/zh/home/media-solutions/media-search/media-factsheet-detail/mediadata/harian-metro/?PARAM1=NS5HK1#.U7V2mZSSxIF> [Accessed on: 4 July, 2014]