Utusan Malaysia has gone through quite a journey since its inception in 1939. It was once a newspaper that played an important role in helping Malaysia gained her independence. And while the nationalistic tone is still there in 2016, the public is now a bit disenchanted with how the publication frames it. Utusan realises this, and knows it is time for a change. But how do they plan to do it? And will it work, in a media landscape that is now vastly different? We speak to the Managing Director...

The geographical and cultural diversity of Sarawak necessitate the existence of various media organisations to serve the society. This week, we identify those media organisations and analyse their role in championing the cause of the stakeholders. Does the lack of accessibility help shape the state's national and political outlook? How crucial is this leading up to the eleventh Sarawak state election? We explore. Here are the segments of the episode: 1:06 - Asia Calling 1 - India debates...

At the Asean Editors' Summit held in Kuala Lumpur recently, the idea for a regional Asean News Agency was mooted by our Communications and Multimedia Minister. This is not the first time an idea like this has been proposed. This week, we explore the challenges and feasibility of the idea, especially in an ever-changing South East Asian landscape, and ask the ultimate question: will it be a reality? Here are the segments of the episode: 1:19 - Asia Calling 1 - The Dalit community is...

Said Zahari was Utusan Melayu's former chief editor who protested against UMNO's takeover of the national newspaper in 1961. A celebrated activist, long-time political prisoner and poet - he is one of the country's notable icons for press freedom. In light of his passing this week, we will look back at the context of his time as well as revisiting an interview we did with him in 2014. Here are the segments of the episode: 1:27 - Asia Calling 1 - Afghanistan sets up a drug rehabilitation...

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has been caught in a media crossfire, with his political opponents throwing allegations of corruption in his undervalued purchase of a bungalow in the island-state. For two weeks, defence of the DAP leader's purchase has come in many forms from many cooks, ranging from bad feng shui to being unaware of the property's cost. Since then, DAP has took control of the situation, limiting their information dissemination to three individuals. This week, we explore...

Fashion photographer, Bill Cunningham, once said "Fashion is the armor to survive the reality of everyday life". Fashion is not just an interest for some, it’s a way of life, and magazines often are the holy book fashionistas refer to for inspiration. The glossy pages of magazines like Vogue, Elle, Allure, with their beautiful fashion spreads and insightful articles, help give their audience a sense of style and decadence they hope to attain. This week, we speak to the editor-in-chief from...

This week, In Case You Missed It travels across Asia to unearth hidden stories from the land of Indonesia, India, Vietnam and Australia. From the remnants of Gafatar in Indonesia, to a theatre show on the history of Asian immigration in Sydney, the curated stories from Asia Calling will surely enlighten your weekend. Here are the segments of the episode: 1:11 - Asia Calling 1 - Indonesia's Gafatar Community 8:31 - Asia Calling 2 - 1965: The Year of the Genocide in Indonesia 17:42 - Asia...

On the midnight of March 15th, the Ides of March, The Malaysian Insider closed the doors to its newsroom. After almost 8 years, the highly prolific and often controversial online portal wrapped the business due to financial constraints and political pressure. Its former Chief Editor, Jahabar Sadiq, joins us for one last time to revisit the Insider's key moments, its journey in cleaving a space in Malaysian public discourse and whether we're ready to pay for good, independent journalism. Here...

This week, In Case You Missed It delves into the darker side of being a reporter and whether journalism is a dangerous profession. In 2015, 71 journalists died on duty, mostly from war and conflict reporting, but the number of reporters dying from covering the politics and corruption beat is still alarmingly at the top of the list. Where is journalism heading? We explore. Here are the segments of the episode: 2:20 - Asia Calling 1 - Self-driving cars in Singapore 9:56 - Asia Calling 2 -...

This week, In Case You Missed It presents a collection of curated stories from Asia Calling. From the inspiring tale of the first female taxi driver in Pakistan to the skinheads in Indonesia, these stories will provide you with different insights to your regional neighbors and the intricacies of their lives. Here are the segments of the episode: 0:40 - Asia Calling 1 - Women's radio station in Afghanistan 8:20 - Asia Calling 2 - Pakistan's first female taxi driver 15:41 - Asia Calling...

The Attorney General’s recent proposal to amend the Official Secrets Act 1972, to include tougher penalties for journalists, has got the media talking. In this week’s episode, we explore the repercussions of the proposed amendment. How will this impede on the work of journalists in their pursuit of the truth? Will journalists who work with whistle-blowers be punished for carrying out their duty to inform the public? Here are the segments of the episode: 1:39 - Asia Calling 1 - Myanmar's...

In order to catch up with the rapidly evolving world, we surround ourselves with various media materials on technology. We watch videos of gadget reviews and read articles on the future of the Internet of Things to catch up. So, how do these media outlet make sure their content is relevant to us? And how do they go about making sure that it works? We explore. Here are the segments of the episode: 1:05 - Asia Calling 1 - Former child soldier in Thailand shares his experience 9:08 - Asia...

Hailing from Klang, investigative journalist R. Nadeswaran has been in the business for over four decades. He's broken the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) scandal, the Istana Zakaria mansion and many others. Nades now writes in his bi-weekly column, Citizen Nades. We explore the decades-long career of Malaysia's top investigative journalist, and learn what it takes to be in this gruelling business. Here are the segments of the episodes: 1:15 - Asia Calling 1 - Climate-cultivation in...

Journalism is a noble and yet, thankless profession as it helps give voice to the voiceless and provide the public with information. Despite the not-so-glamorous job descriptions, youngsters with aspirations keep signing up, raring to accept the challenge. We speak to three young journalists to learn why they signed up, and how their journeys have been so far. Here are the segments of the episode: 1:33 - Asia Calling 1 - Genocide Commemoration in Cambodia 9:46 - Asia Calling 2 - The...

Sports journalist Rajes Paul gives us the lay-down of the field, with its sharp corners and interviews with Malaysian athletes. Having spent decades on the field, Rajes shares with us the intricacies of the Malaysian sporting fraternity, women in sports reporting and the future of the pitch. Here are the segments of the episode: 1:38 - Asia Calling 1: Debating Identity in Afghanistan 8:58 - Asia Calling 2: Volunteer Teachers Revolutionizing Poor Schools in Nepal 14:31 - Reporting from the...

A new age calls for new methods, and in journalism, technology has shaped the way the public consumes news but more importantly, how the news is presented. Media organisations are constantly looking for ways to engage the reader, as well as equip their journalists to be more efficient in reporting. This week, we explore how technology has seeped into the Malaysian media landscape as well as the benefits and setbacks it presents. Here are the segments of the episode: 1:23 - Asia Calling 1:...

Citizen journalists have begun playing a notable role in today's news reporting. Readers have become more interactive and aware of current issues and use tools such as videos, pictures and social media to give them a voice. But is citizen journalism a good value add to news reports and is it capable of shaping public opinion? We speak to David Kaplan, the Executive Director of Global Investigative Journalism Network to find out the role of people who have a camera phone and access to internet...

2015 has been a trying year for Malaysian media. It's marked primarily by the suspension of The Edge Financial Daily, the banning of Sarawak Report and a growing strained relationship between government and media. Can both online and print media survive the difficult year to come, in a country with a challenging economy and the constraining space of press freedoms? We explore on where to focus our journalistic lenses, the dollars and cents, and a little bit of wishful thinking. Here are...

2015 is a trying year, with various issues rocking the world. "In Case You Missed It" will review some of the biggest stories of 2015 through four different themes: terrorism, immigration crises, environmental disasters and financial scandals. Here are the segments of the episode: Asia Calling 1: Ethnic Hazaras in Limbo Asia Calling 2: Bullet-planting Scam in the Philippines 2015 - Stories of the Year Our story selections are divided into four themes: Theme 1: Terrorism Theme 2:...

We wrap the year up with a selection of our top 5 episodes. The producers of In Case You Missed It will explore the biggest stories of the year, the way in which the media was involved and how we could best understand these issues. Here are the picks: #1: "Heist of the Century" "Heist of the Century" was first aired on the 14th of March, 2015. #2: Death Camps for Migrants "Death Camps for Migrants" was first aired on the 30th of May, 2015. #3: MH370 - Flying Through...

Bauxite is the mineral from which aluminium is extracted, and Pahang has them in abundance. Miners came years ago, and since then, the state has been covered in a blanket of red dust. We speak to an environmentalist to get a primer on what is really happening in the state and how it is affecting the citizens and the environment. Here are the segments of the show: Asia Calling 1 - Ethnic Hazara fleeing Pakistan Asia Calling 2 - Labour Market competition in ASEAN Catching 'Em Red-Handed:...

Since 1999, the Malaysian media landscape experienced transformation with the establishment of Malaysiakini. Edging its way into the national conversation, the online portal offered an alternative view to national politics. Since then, the scene has rapidly blossomed, with a lineup of other online news organisations joining the fray, such as The Malaysian Insider and more recently, The Malay Mail Online. Has the alternative gone mainstream? We explore. Here are the segments of the...

Lee Kuan Yew's passing earlier this year was met with sadness and reverence from the Singaporean public. Over five decades, the island state has been shaped by the late premier's vision and aspirations for a country coping after a post-Malaya split. We explore the very personal aspects of Lee Kuan Yew through the eyes of an author whose book is banned on Singaporean shores. Here are the segments of the program: Asia Calling 1 - Child Pornography in Pakistan Asia Calling 2 - Temple of...

There has been a consistent rise in terror-related events recently, with extremist organizations like ISIS gaining in strength and numbers. This was proven with them claiming responsibility for the deaths of 129 people in Paris last Friday. Previously, mainstream media have been quick to brand gunmen who practise a certain faith as terrorists. But when the gunman does not fit a certain profile, labels like ‘mentally ill’ comes to light, such as the Charleston Church gunman who shot nine...

It has been almost a year since the Islamic State (IS) grew in power and seized control over sporadic territories in Iraq and Syria. An observation made by security and terror experts is the notable number of foreign fighters from all over the world. United under the dream of establishing a Caliphate, this ideology has drawn the young and disenfranchised to a bloody cause. What were the factors that led to this, and what counter-terrorism efforts are in place to mitigate this issue? We...