Live & Learn

We are all avid media consumers, but how much media literacy do we actually have? In an increasingly digital culture inhabited by many youths, do they have enough knowledge about secure digital tools, and the skills to engage and participate productively? These are some of the questions that Dr. Sangeet Bhullar, the founder and Executive Director of Wise Kids (UK) and youth activist Kon Li Pei are seeking to answer through their respective work, and we catch up with both of them to discuss how media literacy training for young people can promote independent and responsible thinking. Both Sangeet and Li Pei were recently on a panel about empowering young people to be critical consumers and creators with film and digital content at the Freedom Film Network’s inaugural Film & Society conference that was centred around the theme, “Content Creation, Choice and Control in the Digital Age”. 

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As of July 2022, Malaysia’s female labour force participation rate stands at 55.6% while male labour force participation rate is 82.5%. But why is this the case and what can we do about it? With the tabling of Budget 2024 around the corner, on today’s episode, we will be talking about what Budget 2024 can do to address gender disparities in the Malaysian workforce. We speak to Anis Farid, Research and Advocacy Officer, Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO).

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The recent price hike of imported rice by more than 30% has led to a surge in demand for cheaper local rice, and thus an acute shortage in local rice supply. In fact, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has warned that legal action could be taken against anyone found hoarding rice. What’s fuelling our problems with rice supplies across the world and are we seeing a global rice crisis? Here to discuss this and how Malaysia can shore up our food security is Prof Datin Paduka Fatimah Arshad. 

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Bringing home a new furry family member is a heartwarming experience, but it also comes with great responsibility. Top on our list of priorities as a "pawrent" is to ensure our pet's health, happiness and wellbeing. Dr Lee Wai Wai (Founder of PetMedic, and Veterinarian, Lee Vet Clinic) and Dr Yap Boon Kai (Veterinarian, Yap Animal Clinic & Surgery) join us to discuss all that we need to know as a pet-owner, from keeping our pets happy, active and engaged, to understanding preventive care, vaccinations, and common health issues that our pets may face.

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Also listen to: My Pet & I #2: Caring For Senior Cats and Dogs

MRT Malaysia’s recent announcement of introducing female-only coaches to their trains, as a method to address sexual harassment and assault, has sparked heated debate online. Many have welcomed and celebrated the move. But there are also many others who criticise it. There are of course, regressive comments by some men who are saying things like “women always talk about equality but want special treatment.” On the other hand, there are arguments by women themselves who wonder if this move is disempowering, and protectionist and places the onus/responsibility on women to take specific measures than on the would-be perpetrators themselves. We unpack this with Daniella Zulkifili, President, Association of Women Lawyers.

The latest discovery of a Buddhist temple structure and statues at the Bukit Choras Archaeological Site in Yan, Kedah, has been an exciting one as archaeologists say that it could date back to the 8th or 9th century AD, more than 1,200 years ago. 

To tell us more about that discovery and what significance it has for our understanding of the history of the archaeological sites in the area, including at the Bujang Valley, is Dr Nasha Rodziadi Khaw, archaeologist and researcher at the Global Archaeology Research Centre, who is leading the team at the dig site. 

Image Credit: Dr Nasha Rodziadi Khaw

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is demanding that the news site MalaysiaNow amend or remove articles reporting on the chaos in Dewan Rakyat last week. According to MalaysiaNow, MCMC gave them two hours to do so or face "further enforcement actions.” The articles in question are two reports titled “Blok PN keluar, 'Tambun peliwat' bergema di Dewan Rakyat selepas PM serang Radzi" and the English version. According to MalaysiaNow, MCMC said the articles "do not reflect the true context of the speech in question", adding that the headlines were also "disrespectful and insulting."

This move by the MCMC has been met by backlash by members of civil society, including the likes of Lawyers For Liberty and the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ). We unpack everything with Wathshlah Naidu, Executive Director, Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ).

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Article 8 of Malaysia’s Federal Constitution provides that all persons are equal before the law and entitled to the equal protection of the law, and that discrimination is prohibited based on religion, race, descent, place of birth or gender. But is this the reality in the lives of Malaysians? The results of the State of Discrimination Survey run by Architects of Diversity Malaysia found that 64% of Malaysians have experienced some form of discrimination in the past 12 months. 

Here to share more about the findings of that survey and how we can better address discrimination is Jason Wee, Co-founder of Architects of Diversity Malaysia. 

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Kechara Soup Kitchen Society (KSK) have been serving marginalised communities in Malaysia for over 15 years; these include the homeless, urban poor and Orang Asli communities. Among others, they run a Soup Kitchen, a Food Bank and several empowerment programmes to help the different groups they serve. This October, KSK will be organising a nationwide food drive in conjunction with World Food Day 2023, to support the less fortunate. We speak to Justin Cheah, the Marketing Director of Kechara Soup Kitchen to find out more about the group's work, and the upcoming food drive.

Image Credit: Kechara Soup Kitchen

Netha Hussain is an India-born medical doctor and dedicated Wikipedian, renowned for her tireless efforts in countering COVID-19 misinformation on Wikipedia. In 2020, she received the Women in Open Source Academic Award, recognising her contributions in disseminating and sharing medical knowledge and information in Wikipedia.

Image Credits: Wikimedia/Christopher Schwarzkopf