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New Naratif (Malay for New Narrative) is a Malaysian–based online journalism platform and self-described independent media outlet that publishes content on Southeast Asian current affairs.

Founded in 2017, it is managed by Singaporean historian and former athlete Thum Ping Tjin and freelance journalist Kirsten Han. The outlet publishes investigative reporting, academic research, comics, explainers, videos and podcasts in English, Malay and other languages of Southeast Asia.

It describes itself as promoting "democracy, freedom of information and freedom of expression in Southeast Asia". It is funded by membership fees, philanthropic grants and undisclosed donations. The outlet is registered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Disputes with Singaporean authorities

The site has been involved in a number of disputes with Singaporean authorities, with the website often posting about Singaporean politics. Singaporean authorities have accused New Naratif of being a vessel of foreign interference – the website is based in Malaysia and relies heavily on undisclosed donations – an accusation that the outlet has denied.

During the 2020 Singaporean general election, New Naratif was investigated by Singaporean police for allegedly publishing paid advertisements on Facebook, which according to the Elections Department amounted to illegal conduct. Thum was subsequently questioned by police and his phone and laptop were seized. The post was taken down by Facebook after the Infocomm Media Development Authority issued a notice to the social media site for "unauthorised paid Internet election advertising" as the post was still available after June 30 (Nomination Day) and not sanctioned by any candidate or election agent.

New Naratif responded by asking authorities to stop their "long-standing campaign of harassment". A number of civil society groups led by South Africa's Civicus along with Article 19, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International requested authorities to drop charges against the site.

Reception

New York City–based Columbia Journalism Review highlighted New Naratif as an example of a number of emerging independent outlets from Asian countries, where freedom of the press is rare, as an "alternative" to the media dominated by primarily Western and Chinese outlets.

References

1. ^ Welle (www.dw.com), Deutsche. "Media Start-up: New Naratif in Malaysia | DW | 20.05.2020". DW.COM. Retrieved 2021-03-01.
2. ^ CoconutsSingapore (2020-09-21). "New Naratif founder says police have seized his laptop, phone | Coconuts Singapore". Coconuts. Retrieved 2021-02-25.
3. ^ hermesauto (2018-04-12). "New Naratif rejects accusations that it is used by foreigners to pursue politics in Singapore". The Straits Times. Retrieved 2021-02-25.
4. ^ Welle, Deutsche (2020-09-26). "Why Is Singapore Falling Behind in Press Freedom?". The News Lens International Edition. Retrieved 2021-02-25.
5. ^ "Transnationally Asian". Columbia Journalism Review. Retrieved 2021-02-25.
6. Kwai, Isabella (2020-07-28). "Migrant Workers, Poland, TikTok: Your Tuesday Briefing". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-02-25.
7. "About". New Naratif. Retrieved 2021-02-25.
8. "Transnationally Asian". Columbia Journalism Review. Retrieved 2021-02-25.
9. hermesauto (2020-09-18). "Police investigating New Naratif for allegedly publishing illegal paid election ads on Facebook". The Straits Times. Retrieved 2021-02-25.
10. "GE2020: Unauthorised advertisement by New Naratif on Facebook removed". CNA. Retrieved 2021-03-01.
11. "Police seize Thum Ping Tjin's mobile devices, probe New Naratif over alleged paid ads published during GE2020". uk.finance.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2021-03-01.
12. Gaebee, Kgalalelo. "Singapore: Drop police report against independent media outlet New Naratif". www.civicus.org. Retrieved 2021-03-01.

• Malaysian news websites
• Investigative journalism
• Southeast Asian studies
• Censorship in Singapore