What does Daulat suggest about ownership links between media and parties?

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Daulat Suggests Close and Intertwined Ownership Links Between Media Companies and Political Parties

The film Daulat portrays a media landscape where ownership is deeply entangled with political entities. Media Raya, a fictional company within the film, is depicted as being in direct competition with a rival, MCC, which it accuses of being aligned with the ruling Wawasan coalition. This dynamic highlights a fear within Media Raya that its historical ties to the previous government could create significant disadvantages. The narrative further emphasizes this connection by showing Media Raya's co-owner, Idrus, in a compromising relationship with the deputy president of a major political party, suggesting a level of intimacy that blurs the lines between media operations and political influence.
Political Affiliations of Media Houses

The film explicitly draws parallels between its fictional portrayals and real-world scenarios in Malaysia's media industry. Media Raya's alleged connection to the previous government is likened to the relationship between Barisan Nasional (BN) and Media Prima, and the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) and The Star. Historically, Umno exercised control over Utusan Melayu (Malaysia) Bhd, the publisher of Utusan Malaysia and Kosmo!, before a change in ownership structure under Syed Mokhtar al-Bukhary led to the cessation of these publications. These comparisons underscore a recurring theme of political parties exerting influence or control over media organisations.
De Facto Control and Political Alliances

Daulat illustrates how political affiliations can extend beyond mere editorial influence to direct operational involvement. The character Idrus, identified as the de facto chief of Media Raya, is shown to be romantically involved with a high-ranking political figure. Despite this intimate connection, the film suggests that Media Raya has managed to maintain its credibility. This suggests a complex interplay where personal relationships can facilitate or sustain media operations, even when those operations are ostensibly independent.
The Media's Role in Political Narratives

The film's narrative also touches upon the media's role in shaping political discourse and potentially serving specific political agendas. The character Jasmin, a reporter who ascends to a management position, is depicted as planting a story for the nationalist party MUNA, an obvious allusion to a real-life political entity. This storyline suggests that media outlets can be instrumental in disseminating specific narratives or propaganda for political gain, further cementing the idea of intertwined interests between media and political parties. The film's director, Imran Sheik, has stated that the portrayal is based on research into the inherent link between media and politics, noting that dictators often control media and aiming to encourage critical media consumption among the audience.

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What does Daulat suggest about ownership links between media and parties?

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