ABSTRACT
To the casual observer, the contemporary Malaysian media 1 scene is one which is rapidly changing and expanding. Over the past two decades, both the mainstream print and broadcast media in Malaysia have undergone a major period of transition, coinciding with the period in which Mahathir Mohamad has been prime minister. New newspapers and radio and television stations have emerged during this period, signifying to many a liberalization of media policies, a relaxation of control. However, casual observations often tend to be very misleading. In the Malaysian context, as I attempt to illustrate in the second part of this three-part chapter, the seemingly rapid expansion of the media indeed needs to be located at least within the larger framework of increasing commercialization and ongoing state control. In the third part, I attempt a critical evaluation of the major strands of Western media studies which have impacted, continue to impact, and have the potential to impact on not only Malaysian media studies but also on Malaysian media policy. I conclude by providing some observations regarding the supposed need to rethink media studies in Malaysia.
