IN the run-up to the Feb 24 nomination day, at least 44% of news stories about the 12th general election in Malaysia were pro-Barisan Nasional (BN) for the period between Feb 18 and 22.
On average, the six newspapers which were monitored by a citizens’media monitoring initiative had between 50% and 70% stories that portrayed the ruling coalition in a positive light.
The newspapers monitored were New Straits Times, The Star, theSun, Utusan Malaysia, Makkal Osai and Malaysia Nanban.
![Slant in elections coverage for the period Feb 18 to 22, 2008. Source: CIJ, Wami and Charter 2000-Aliran.](https://www.malaysiavotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/mediacoverage1_resized.jpg)
The ongoing media monitoring is being jointly conducted by the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ), the Writers’ Alliance for Media Independence (Wami) and Charter 2000-Aliran with the support of volunteers. Monitoring began on Feb 18 and will be conducted until the day after the March 8 polls.
More information at CIJ and Aliran.