Blending the new media at work

How many of you used email 10 or 15 years ago? This was one of the very first questions the trainers asked their participants during the 5-day Bridging New Media Workshop for communication officers and decision makers organised in Kuala Lumpur from 11 – 15 June 2007 by Southeast Asia Center for e-Media or SEACeM.

The title of the seminar itself is interesting – bridging the new media for managers. To have a full understanding of what it really meant I asked the CEO of Malaysiakini.com and SEACeM, Premesh Chandran – what was the main objectives and what inspired him?. He said that normally whenever he organised ICT training, ICT people or the web expert participated. In fact, they are already familiar with the technology and was not necessary for them to join. When participants returned home, we expected the communication strategies int heir organisations to be improved. However, what normally happened was that the communication may be discussed but without those computer or web experts or rather that their voices were overwhelmed by communication managers – (who know how to write but know little or nothing how technology works).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The miscommunication between those web experts and their managers remains unresolved as the managers could not understand the technical terms explained to them. This resulted in the planning of communication strategy without knowing thy can do more and things can be done in many different new ways with technology na new media. This workshop is for the managers to know how technology works and how they can blend it in their work.

I always like the participatory approach wherever i participate in the training course or workshop. This training cum workshop does not disappoint me, therefore a lot of contribution from the floor. The workshop did not focus exclusively on technology but also on planning and strategy, marketing and management. How do you plan your communication strategy and how the new media fits in?

 

 

 

FNF in Malaysian Blogosphere

Starting from our Young Socio-Political Entrepreneur Project Competition in early 2006, FNF’s Malaysia Project has expanded its work to promote the freedom of expression in that country through blogging workshops and trainings. Blogging is an open space where people are free to express their opinion on anything ranging from the current socio-economic and political development to things related to individual interest. In Malaysia, not anyone can write and say what they like. There are so many acts and laws to detain and call in for questions those who say or write against the government.

Recently, two famous Malaysian bloggers namely Jeff Ooi and Rocky Bru were sued by the leading English newspaper NST which is owned by the government. This development has led to the idea to embrace and engage all bloggers. I received an invitation to the Blogger United Malaysia Gathering 2007 last week and I participated. One of the main attractions were the speakers, especially Jeff Ooi; he is the most famous blogger in Malaysia and has inspired many bloggers in Malaysia. I know him personally and realise his quality. We also had him in our blogging workshops and trainings.

There was a mixture of old and young participants. Most of them blog about current affairs. One blog in particular is Daphne Ling who shared her fund-raising experiences by sending information to a few famous blogs. I asked what made it a success story and she replied it was a power of blogging.

One hundred participants were willing to pay to attend the event. The organizers charged because, as they said, they do not want to be influenced by outside funders.

Initially, I questioned whether it was necessary for bloggers to meet face to face as they are supposed to write and share their views only in cyberspace. Sam explained that meeting in reality was a new social phenomenon pushing blogging into another level – it has become a platform between purely physical gathering and virtual meeting. Bloggers who first meet online in cyberspace can embrace and engage each other through physical gathering to provide support, especially in time of need. This explains why a few Malaysian bloggers have created the National Alliance of Bloggers (NAB) – after Jeff and Rocky were sued. The aim of the NAB is to protect bloggers and to promote blogging.

All speakers seemed to link their presentations to the current media situation in Malaysia – how the government has created and imposed a system to control the blogging community and in general, the lack of or limited freedom of the press. Even in Thailand now, the government has issued laws to control websites and blogs which go against the government. I believe each individual has the freedom to write and say or do whatever he or she likes to. Of course, they must take full responsibility of their words and actions.

During the discussion, I heard some people asked whether bloggers should use their own name or remain anonymous. In Thailand, I am told, bloggers tend have at least two domain names just to protect themselves. For me, registering with my own name helps add credibility to the blog. But, then, it is absolutely up to each individual to decide.