Sin Chew Daily Marks 95th Anniversary Amidst Industry Challenges

KUALA LUMPUR, March 21 (Bernama) -- Established in 1929, Sin Chew Daily, a prominent Chinese newspaper, has endured multiple suspensions and revivals, yet it has persevered and flourished to commemorate its 95th anniversary this year.

As time passes and the environment changes, Sin Chew Daily, the country's largest newspaper, faces challenges and struggles similar to other "old-timers" in various industries.

In a commentary titled “The Day When the Ink of Chinese Newspapers Dries Up” released yesterday, its editor-in-chief Kuik Cheng Kang voiced apprehensions regarding the sustainability of traditional media amidst the ascendancy of new media platforms.

He mentioned that while digitalisation was once seen as the future of the media, traditional media now struggle to find significant opportunities on new media platforms.

“The gold has been taken away by the technological giants behind these platforms, leaving only scraps for the media outlets that use them.

“This is sad, and it's also a dilemma for media practitioners,” he said. 

Kuik also raised a poignant question: “What would it be if, one day, Chinese newspapers disappeared because they couldn't sustain themselves?

“When the ink on the printing press dries up and newspapers become purely digital, will they still have influence?” he asked.

Since its publication resumed in 1988, Sin Chew Daily has witnessed a consistent surge in readership, solidifying its position as one of Malaysia's foremost Chinese-language publications since 1992.

It stands today as not just the premier Chinese newspaper in Southeast Asia but also the largest Chinese daily beyond the confines of Greater China.

The theme of the 95th-anniversary celebration is “Together We Protect,” emphasising the importance of safeguarding history, social justice, cultural heritage, and other fundamental values.

“This theme reflects the mission and responsibility of the newspaper, indicating that Sin Chew Daily will continue to play its important role in adapting to future challenges, bringing warmth and positive energy to society,” said Kuik, who is also the Group Editor-in-Chief (Malaysia) at Media Chinese International Limited (MCIL).

To address the challenges posed by the digital era, Sin Chew Daily spearheaded a media coalition with various local newspapers in distinct languages and a television network several years back.

By pooling resources, this alliance coordinates news planning, conducts interviews, and reports stories collaboratively, enriching readers with deeper and more expansive content.

The media organisations that form this alliance include Sin Chew Daily, The Star (English), Sinar Harian  (Malay), Astro Awani, and Malaysia Nanban (Tamil).

With five esteemed and forward-thinking media entities pooling resources and leveraging each other's strengths and weaknesses, Kuik is confident in their abilities to advance steadfastly, delivering comprehensive and professional news coverage to readers of diverse backgrounds.

“I look forward to Sin Chew Daily going further and achieving sustainable operation for a hundred years. I also hope that Malaysia will no longer see racial and religious disputes, and people of all ethnicities will work together for economic prosperity, rather than squabble over pseudo-issues every day,” he said.

-- BERNAMA