"The Malaysian government is still bridle Freedom"

"The Malaysian government is still bridle Freedom" - In Malaysia, the online media become the spearhead for the public to obtain and to provide more information about the pro-democracy movement in the country's neighbor. The situation was related to the absence of specific regulations that regulate the online media in Malaysia.

However, for Premesh Chandran, online media manager still get resistance from the government. Media Malaysiakini that he would often stumble governance with the government's case, it is considered to give information that is considered libelous. Article defamation is a tool for the regime to muzzle critical media, be it print, electronic and online.

MalaysiaKini.com, according to Chandran, the media is one of the pioneers who tried to act independently and be an alternative to the major media that most of voicing the interests of the ruler of Malaysia. Founded about 12 years by Steven Gan, Malaysiakini a few times to grip the government.

However, barriers do not impede MalaysiaKini.com lunge, which claimed Chandran succeeded in becoming the number one online media in Malaysia, even beyond the pages of government-owned news.

The following interview with Premesh VIVAnews Chandran, Founder and Chief Executive Corporate MalaysiaKini.com

How is the current popularity of Malaysia Today? How many visitors per day?

The average reader approximately 300,000 people per day. But the page view it reached 1 million to 1.5 million people per day. Compared to other online media in Malaysia, Malaysiakini be number one. Beat news websites owned by government.

How do you think the climate conference in Malaysia today?

Anchorman in Malaysia increasingly turning to online media. More than half of Malaysia's population already use the internet. Compared to other mass media, online is more popular. Regarding the press climate, there is no significant change. Government continues to impose strict laws, especially the print media, like newspapers and magazines.

How Malaysia Today can still survive in the regime that limits the news media?

We could survive because the government of Malaysia does not have strict restrictions on online media. Regulatory restrictions only apply to print media.

Online is free to preach, even though the hot news. However, after the news was issued, the government could sue the news which was considered unpleasant. The government usually uses incitement to prop article online media.

Malaysia is now itself a few times tripping the case with the government. Coverage is available at our website rated libelous. Claims filed after they conduct an investigation against Malaysia Today, then defamation article applies to us.

Is Malaysia now need to negotiate and compromise with the government in the news?

We do not do a lot of negotiation and compromise. Because in Malaysia there is no law that regulates online media, so Malaysia is now not need permission for publication.

Many bloggers and journalists in Malaysia who was arrested due to the news, is it true?

Yes, many bloggers and journalists who were detained on the basis of violation of article incitement and defamation. Many of those whose cases are still ongoing to this day. I do not know the exact amount.

Many emerging alternative media in Malaysia, how do you view this phenomenon?

More online media that appears very nice as a media alternative choice for readers in Malaysia. Newspapers and magazines should be released from confinement regime.

Malaysia last week held a demonstration in chaos due to the onslaught of forces, whether this form of government repression?

Yes, the government often does not provide society and against the people. They use the police force and the other to hold the people to assemble. This often happens in Malaysia, although the association has arranged the people of their liberty by the Malaysian constitution. But the government does not want this.

How important is the role of social media in the news in Malaysia?

Social media is very important in providing information to the public. Social media has also become a means of spreading the edict is quite important. At a demonstration last week, scattered photos, news and videos showing what actually happens. If the government said the situation was unsafe, violent people, then a video and photographs contained in the social media can deny it all.

Malaysia is now often described as opposition media, is it true? What exactly is the vision of Malaysia Today?

Malaysia Today is not a pro-opposition media as well as against the government. Our vision is to use Internet tools to promote democracy, social justice and freedom of expression. Malaysia Today is an independent media that make news credible, accurate and balanced. If Malaysians want to know what exactly, read Malaysia Today.

So the other media are not credible?

Other media like Bernama, the Messenger and The Star is owned by the government. The envoy's UMNO (the ruling party in Malaysia). His writing will ya join their owners. One aim is for the sake of UMNO, UMNO agenda to follow.