Malaysia’s leading English daily, The Star will increase the newsstand price by almost 50 per cent from 3rd April, and that’s not an April Fool joke.
Subscribers, shareholders, retirees and former employees are screaming their heads off like going on roller coaster about to trick them that they will fall off.
From a current price of RM2 to RM3 is being called out as ridiculous, unsympathetic and not caring for the older retired generation that subscribe to the newspaper that is declining in sales.
From its heydays in 2008 with over 300,000 in sales, today it has dropped to about 60,000. Sales dropping by about five times is owing to the digital revolution and the younger generation reading the news on the social media which is free.
“I have informed the top management of The Star to improve their content if they wish to increase the price. It is very arrogant and unreasonable. A shareholder and ex-employee told me that The Star management was annoying and refused to meet him when he wanted to meet them and suggest improvements to improve the quality of the newspaper. It is so bad that they are not taking calls and not replying to emails,” said a former disgruntled senior manager of The Star who served for more than 30 years.
Several subscribers interviewed by Newswav stated that they would boycott and not extend their subscription as they get better news coverage on free online news portals.
In emails to subscribers, The Star circulation department official wrote: “To avoid any disruption to your subscription, we recommend that subscription renewals are made at least ONE month before the expiring month via Star Newsstand. One Year Newspaper (Print only) for RM 618.00 and two years Newspaper (Print only) for RM 1,218.00. As the cover price of The Star newspaper will be revised to RM3 starting April 3, 2023, please take note that the price for your subscription plan will increase accordingly if you choose to renew after this date.”
Last month Star Media Group Bhd (SMG) reported a 16% increase in revenue for its 2022 financial year (FY2022) to RM217mil as a result of revenue-focused initiatives by the management that led to the continuous improvement in its financial performance. “The company capitalised on the growth in economic activities and continuous upbeat consumer spending which has resulted in an increase in advertising bookings as businesses are resuming operations to pre-pandemic level," The Star reported.
“It is an unfair to increase because the board of directors have been increasing their annual directors’ allowances, including hefty membership fees to prestigious clubs while several top retired officials are being paid exorbitant salaries fees,” said a former employee and shareholder of SMG. Majority of SMG shares are owned by the political party MCA and allied companies.
M. Krishnamoorthy is a media coach, associate professor, and journalist who worked and freelanced with Bernama, NST, The Star, and Malaysiakini. He also freelances as a fixer/coordinator for CNN, BBC, German and Australian Television networks and the New York Times. As an undercover journalist, he has highlighted society's concerns going undercover as a beggar, security guard, blind man, disabled salesman and Member of Parliament.
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