Author/Authors :
Abdul Muluf, Annuar Amri Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) - Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, Centre for Media and Information Warfare Studies, Malaysia , Mat Noordin, Noor Nirwandy Universiti Teknologi MARA - Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, Centre for Media and Information Warfare Studies, Malaysia
Abstract :
Online news has become a newly favoured option among the current society for it suits the fast paced lifestyle nowadays. The latest development in any news around the world can be retrieved anywhere and anytime by just a single click. Malaysiakini as one of the most popular online news portal in our country which capitalises on this opportunity by publishing interesting news and stories including those involving provocative and sensitive issues that have indeed created an overwhelming pattern of response amongst its readers. Not only that, the persuasive words and propaganda techniques lies in between its persuasive language in the news report, have dragged the government bodies, particularly Polis DiRaja Malaysia (PDRM) into a negative perception perceived by the public. This study is conducted to analyze the different types and techniques of propaganda applied by Malaysiakini which will emphasize on the use of persuasive language by propagandists in gaining trust of its readers and audience into believing their ideas and opinion. This study uses qualitative research methodology which consists of four elements; research framework, research design, research sampling and research procedure. Relevant recommendations and suggestions are proposed followed by a comprehensive and detailed conclusion on the issues highlighted in this study. After the process of analyzing all data in 51 selected online news from Malaysiakini throughout the month of August 2013 until October 2013, the study has notices the involvement of three types of propaganda namely white propaganda, black propaganda and gray propaganda, as well as all seven different types of techniques of propaganda applied in all articles such as card stacking, testimonial, name calling, plain folks, glittering and generalities, transfer and bandwagon. Through the three months period, the study finds that the most widely applied type of propaganda in the content of the online news is gray propaganda with 31 articles using this type out of 51 articles altogether. White propaganda is next with 15 articles applying this type in its content, while the least used type of propaganda is black propaganda with only 5 articles applying it. The difference in ratio among all three types of propaganda is obvious in number although the issues highlighted revolve around the almost similar issues throughout the period. In terms of techniques of propaganda, the most popular technique used throughout August 2013 up to October 2013 is ‘Name Calling’ and followed by Glittering Generalities. Next, Card Stacking and Testimonial fall in third most used technique with both consist of nine articles using those techniques. Plain Folks and Bandwagon however, with both carrying two articles makes them the fourth most used technique throughout the period. Lastly, Bandwagon remains as the least applied propaganda technique with only one article found using this method throughout August 2013 up to October 2013.
