Malaysiakini rubbishes speculation of 'UMNO links', vows independence

Harakahdaily

Oct 14: Reports that popular news portal Malaysiakini would be sold to UMNO-linked interests have prompted a passionate denial from its co-founder Steven Gan (right), who said its contents-sharing deal with UMNO-controlled Malay Mail had been misinterpreted by a rival portal. Writing on the portal today, Steven said the reports came as a "rude shock", adding that the portal was only one of several media organisations approached by the free newspaper before the latter's re-launch as a paid morning paper. "It is public knowledge that The Malay Mail will soon be relaunching as a paid morning daily as opposed to a free afternoon paper. And it has approached several online players, blogs and international news agencies for content, Malaysiakini included. "So it came as a rude shock to us that a simple content proposal - and a deal that is far from being concluded - has been spun by a couple of news sites into a content-for-share swap," said Steven, who together with Premesh Chandran set up the award-winning online news portal in 1999. He stressed that Malaysiakini would not own a share in Malay Mail nor would let the paper to buy any of its shares, a portion of which are given to its staff. "Over our dead bodies" Steven said content syndication could generate income and it was critical for Malaysiakini to look for new income to survive competition and remain independent. "We are surprised that our online competitors failed to understand this economic imperative. But then again, perhaps they don't need to worry about money, since they are getting it from somewhere. "So, is Malaysiakini selling out to Umno? Over our dead bodies," remarked Steven, who is also the portal's editor. He further added that the portal would remain independent from any political parties, not just UMNO but also "MCA, MIC, PAS, PKR and DAP." "Political parties have no business in owning media, and journalists have no business making such deals with politicians. "It is a principle that we hold dear in Malaysiakini, and one which we have painstakingly worked to protect over the past one decade. We are not going to abandon it for anything. Even cold hard cash," he wrote.