It was an experiment which started in 2005 with Malaysiakini toying with the idea of complementing its news section with video content.

At the time, two web video initiatives were already running - Cyberjaya TV, an on-demand and live program show that highlighted Cyberjaya; and Malaysia.tv, a privately-run entity that focused on lifestyle.

NONE "We wanted to see if we can do something along the same line for Malaysiakini," said its CEO Premesh Chandran, who roped in Shufiyan Shukur for the project. Shufiyan was then providing video content for both Cyberjaya TV and Malaysia.tv.

"For starters, we decided to do a few talk shows. This was an experiment to see if we can make it work for Malaysiakini when it came to video," said Shufiyan, who is now Malaysiakini.tv's senior producer.

Chandran and Shufiyan then decided to produce two web talk shows - a panel discussion of MCA election for that year and a Anak Malaysia Forum by Gerakan.

Both the shows worked well enough for Chandran to decide to seek funding for Malaysiakini's web video content.

NONE "Our main idea for web-based video sprung from wanting to address the needs of the Indian community, especially in rural and estate areas.

"At the time, there were English, Bahasa Malaysia and Chinese editorial contents but when it came to the Indian community, there were large numbers who weren't connected," he said.

"The decision was to allow downloads of our video clips so that they can be burned on CDs or DVD sand passed around. We realized that the Internet penetration was low outside of urban areas, but the typical estate worker has at least a television and a VCD player. That was how we were going to reach them," Chandran added.

Being recognised on the streets

To start off a video department was an expensive venture. The basic equipments required were the traditional cameras and editing softwares. On top of that a good broadband connection and servers were also needed to be put in place for the videos to be broadcast online.

The video department got off a fledgling start with Friedrich Naumann Foundation's grant. The video team started with two people - K Indra and W Ubaraj. The former is now a multi-media producer with Malaysiakini.tv while the latter is no longer with the team now.

Highlighting the issues on the Indian community became Malaysiakini.tv's forte. The first few that captured the public's attention were the temple demolitions, vernacular education and the displacement of people in the estates.

Malaysiakini.tv gained recognition as it covered more issues that interest the nation. In 2007, the coverage of the by-elections in Ijok, Batu Talam and Machap gained the video webcast initiative a firm ground.

NONE "People recognised us immediately when they see our cameramen in the Malaysiakini vest. They were so responsive and gave us way to facilitate our work. It was absolutely great to receive that," said Shufiyan ( left ).

In fact, while covering a rally in Kuala Lumpur recently, Malaysiakini.tv's crew members received positive comments from people who have no Internet access.

"When asked how they knew about us and these people from Perlis and Kedah simply said they watched our news via VCD or DVD. That means our strategy to reach the rural areas worked," he said.

Paving the way for citizen journalism

Chandran added that Malaysiakini.tv gave credibility for citizen journalism.

"Articles alone would get people questioning the authenticity and validity of your facts. But seeing is believing. So video webcast works," he noted.

Malaysiakini.tv was launched in September 2006 amidst little fanfare. The viewership was only in the hundreds. However the evolvement has been staggering.

Today, the web video enjoys an average of 5,000 views per day. The number can go up to 20,000 views on hot issues.

azlan Malaysiakini is celebrating its 10th year anniversary on Saturday, Nov 28 with a gala dinner at the Sime Darby Convention Centre in Bukit Kiara. Click here for more information.