After the closure of Utusan Malaysia officially at the end of 2019, media in Malaysia feels demotivated and hopeless.
The cease of operations at Utusan Malaysia was followed by retrenchment at NSTP Group, where it had removed almost 40 per cent of its employees in March this year.
It is saddened to hear Media Prima Bhd also planning to remove almost 50 per cent of its staff this July due to cost-saving plan.
Media industry in Malaysia is dying.
Newspapers are no longer relevant to us while every one can read online.
It can be concluded that almost 95 per cent of Malaysians own accounts on social media; Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and many more.
News can be accessed anytime, anywhere.
What about television? Will it face the same fate as newspapers?
The answer is; Most probably, yes. Due to more channels are now established and existed like YouTube, Netflix and i-Flix, television would be the last resort to fill the boredom.
Many printed companies turn themselves to filming and making live during press conference and media briefing. More people enjoy live channels than reading on the printed materials.
They can enjoy the live conference and response immediately during the conference. A good example; during MCO live conference by Senior Minister (Defence), Dato' Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob through Facebook and Instagram. Sometimes Twitter.
They can response to the announcement immediately. The Government cannot lie the people. Every one can throw their opinions quickly. Each rakyat can read the response from the public. They no longer wait for tomorrow's news to judge. They can judge spontaneously.
So, which part are you saying news on TV is relevant to us? Will we still rely on news at night or tomorrow morning while every thing can be played repeatedly?
Media industry is dying. Every body is becoming reporters and journalists. News in Malaysia also is taken from public and sometimes they make something become a news after it has been viraled by public.
How long can media in Malaysia survive? Another five years? Ten years? What is the plan? If the news companies do not plan and think of something, which to make them become survivors amid the social media's, how many more employees will be terminated?
We cannot see any people losing their jobs anymore. Not anymore!