Malaysian Chinese Language Newspapers and National Identity: A Study of the Roles of Sin Chew Daily in Chinese Cultural Preservation and Nation Building
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Abstract
As the leading Chinese language newspaper in Malaysia, Sin Chew Daily remains focused on emphasising and preserving Chinese cultural and nationalist discourses. On one hand, Sin Chew Daily continues to play a significant role in supporting government policies such as the promotion of ethnic relations and nation-building efforts within multicultural Malaysia. On the other, as a Chinese language newspaper, Sin Chew Daily has never neglected its role in preserving Chinese culture. Using the mixed methods approach, namely content analysis as the first phase of data collection and in-depth interview as the second phase of data collection, this paper examines the agenda of Chinese cultural preservation and nation-building within the context of ethnic relations and national identity by Sin Chew Daily. Based on the relationship of the media and society, and the market and the State, this paper will argue how Chinese cultural preservation through news reporting of cultural rights and Chinese education remains the priority for Sin Chew Daily as compared to the agenda of nation-building. The findings of this study indicate that Sin Chew Daily continues to successfully play its role in representing the news of Chinese education issues, cultural and religious rights, national identity issues and news that promote good interethnic relations. However, Sin Chew Daily needs to enhance its role in establishing a constructive debate platform for the Malaysian civil society to decide on its nation-building "formula" that is acceptable by all while clearly communicating the nation-ofintent of the Malaysian Chinese community to the ruling government.
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