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The Asian Institute for Development Communication (Aidcom), a KL-based NGO affiliated to the United Nations, will be organising a 2-day conference themed: “Shaping Public Opinion in a Changing Media Environment”.

DATE: December 6 - 7 December, 2006
PLACE: Crown Princess Hotel, KL
ENQUIRIES: Tel 603-22870023

It has an ambitious line-up of topics to put traditional and online in sharp juxtaposition, and practitioners from these segments -- and expert communities around the two -- will be speaking on the theme.

The organisers are of the perspective that...

the use of the Internet has been evolving as a key factor in the mechanism towards development of a global civil society. The new information technologies offer unlimited opportunities for broad-based participation in governance at local, national and global levels.

This also provides the possibility of cost-effective access to public information. The Internet also enhances the ability of civil society, individuals and bloggers to communicate more speedily and efficiently among themselves, and to more effectively promote a public sphere.

Among the papers to be presented are:

1. Keynote Address: An Introduction -- A Changing Media: Promises and Challenges by Associate Professor Dr Zaharom Nain, Head of Journalism Section, Universiti Sains Malaysia


2. Emerging Trends in the Global Media Eco-System by Pichai Chuensuksawadi, Editor-in-Chief, Bangkok Post


3. Media in Transition: Moving Forward to Greater Freedom and Democracy? by Associate Professor Dr Mustafa Kamal Anuar, School of Communication, Universiti Sains Malaysia


4. The Cyber Platform – Does it have a Space? by Jeff Ooi


5. Virtual Public Sphere: The Consequences of ICT Policy in Malaysia by Dr Abd Rasid, Deputy Dean, Faculty of Communication, Universiti Technology MARA


6. Politicians Who (Are Not Shy To) Blog by Teresa Kok Suh Sim, Member of Parliament for Seputeh, Democratic Action Party (DAP)

A number of former and current practitioners in mainstream and online journalism, if there's no last-minute scratches, are expected to made appearance as session moderators and discussants at the various working papers. They include:

• A. Kadir Jasin, Editor-in-Chief, Berita Publishing Group


• Steven Gan, Editor, Malaysiakini


• Ahmad Rejal Arbee, Chairman, Malaysian Centre for Environmental Communicators (MACEC)


• Zainon Ahmad, Political Editor, The Sun


• Ahirudin Attan (Rocky's Bru), former executive editor, (old) Malay Mail & Sunday Mail, currently Editorial Consultant, Push-Button Publishing


• Syed Nazri Syed Harun, Deputy Group Editor, The New Straits Times Press


• Rajan Moses, Executive Editor, Business Times, The New Straits Times Press

Tokoh Wartawan Pak Mazlan Nordin, who is also Chairman of Aidcom, will deliver the welcome address.

Representatives from the Government who will participate as session discussants include Che Din Yusoh, Department Secretary, Publication and Quaranic Text Control Division, Ministry of Internal Security, and Member of Parliament, Ir Hamim Samuri (BN/Umno - Ledang).

There are set objectives to be achieved at the end of the conference, which includes:

• To gauge how far new media technologies can help to strengthen participatory democracy in societies


• To instill social responsibility of using the Internet


• To encourage debate among stakeholders on this emerging trend of suppressing the right to openly discuss public matters


• To foster the development of a well-informed citizenry who can play a meaningful role in decision-making and in governance

Prof Dr Safar Hasim, Professor of Journalism, School of Media and Communication Studies, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, will chair the session on Presentation and Adoption of Recommendations.

Let's see if we are overly ambitious in the objectives or otherwise. I thought deputies Shaziman of 'bloggers-are-penebak-curi' labelling, and Ahmad Zahid of 'bloggers-must-have-ethics-and-self-respect' infamy should come for the discourse.

Not forgetting a Chinaman deputy from Perak who has just emulated a 2005 China proposal to register bloggers and wanted it considered for implementation in Malaysia. He, too, should come for an intellectual intercourse like this, if at all just to listen.