(also BUM2009 Organising Committee Chairman)
CPI is proud to be associate organiser of BUM2009
Kuala Lumpur, April 27, 2009: The Centre for Policy Initiatives is proud to be again associated for the second consecutive year in helping organise BUM2009 — marketed as the “Hap Bloggers Event of the Year 2009”.
BUM stands for Bloggers Universe Malaysia (BUM) and the annual gathering first started as BUM2007, and run as BUM2008 last year, also held in the month of May in conjunction with World Press Freedom Day. BUM2009 is a whole day affair with an interesting programme lined up on Saturday May 16, 2009 with the Theme: 4th and 5th Estates — on Collision Course?
Since the last General Elections in March 2008, the new media, especially Blogosphere, has come under much public spotlight, and its role and apparent impact and influence in contributing to the “tsunami of change” was well acknowledged by the various political parties, both Government and Opposition, and civil society in general.
Recent media reports also note that there has been observable trends in bloggers now themselves are aligning themselves with political parties or causes, so much so there is a perceived “division” especially among the social-political (Sopo) bloggers.
This issue and the much maligned mainstream media will come under debate during the three forums planned.
For the first time, a two-hour session in Bahasa Malaysia will be conducted in the afternoon. Organising Committee chairman YL Chong promises that participants paying RM60 per person, will get “more than value for their money”. It is confirmed the “roast lamb” — a popular feature in the two previous gatherings, will again make an appearance, triple the number!
Chong aka Desiderata leads a group of Sopo bloggers in their individual capacities who are joining CPI in promoting this one-day gathering to be held at the Lake View Club, Subang Jaya, to discuss many issues of concern involving the old media (generally called the Fourth Estate) and the new media (the Fifth Estate), with a focus on the role of bloggers in Malaysian civil society.
Many leading Bloggers such as Jeff Ooi and Ahirudin Attan aka Rockybru, and social activists like Dr KJ John, and Art Harun, and senior journalists like R Nadeswaran and Steven Gan, will be speaking at the three panel discussions that will also involve audience participation during the Q and A sessions.
For Registration and Mode of payment and other details, please visit the dedicated website, bum2009.wordpress.com, which has posted the following:-
Programme Outline
Date: Saturday 16 May 2009
Venue: Lake View Club, Subang Jaya
Theme: 4th and 5th Estates — on Collision Course?
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1. Morning Session from 10.30AM – 12.30PM
Topic: The Media – Civil Society’s Perspectives
SPEAKERS:
(a) Welcome address by Dr Lim Teck Ghee, Director, CPI
(b) Sdr Din Merican, Programme Director to PKR chief
(c) Dr KJ John, Civil Society activist
(d) Tentative: Sdr Art Harun, Lawyer-Blogger
(e) Sdr Philip Koh, Lawyer
Q and A Session (30minutes)
***************************** Buffet Lunch ***************************
2. Afternoon Session from 2.30PM – 4.30PM
Topic: Bagaimanakah Media Baru boleh menggalakkan pemikiran kritis masyarakat?
SPEAKERS:
(a) Sdr Faisal Mustaffa, Special aide to a DAP MP
(b) Sdr Fathi Aris Omar, Online Editor
Q and A Session (30minutes)
******************************* Hi-Tea *****************************
3. Evening Session from 6.00PM – 8.15PM
Topic: Has The Old Media Failed Civil Society?
SPEAKERS:
(a) Jeff Ooi, DAP MP for Jelutong, Pulau Pinang
(b) Sdr Ahirudin Attan aka Rockybru, All-Blogs Interim President
(b) Sdr Ahirudin Attan aka Rockybru, All-Blogs Interim President
(c) YB Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, SA of Seri Setia, Selangor
(d) Sdr Steven Gan, Editor-in-chief, Malaysiakini.com
(e) Sdr R Nadeswaran, Editor (Special reports and investigations), The Sun
(e) Sdr R Nadeswaran, Editor (Special reports and investigations), The Sun
(f) SURPRISE BLOGGER-SPEAKER to helicopter in?
Q and A Session (45minutes)
***************** BUFFET DINNER *****************