KBS Media Exposure amidst Covid-19 pandemic
The Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) had a low and fluctuated media exposure in April 2020.
The ministry had the most coverage in April 11, mentioned in ten articles.
However, in most days, KBS was mentioned in less than five articles a day. It even went through a day without media coverage, on April 13.
Primarily, it was due to the Movement Control Order (MCO) amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. Sports activities in the country have been temporarily prohibited.
Nevertheless, the ministry was still covered by the media because of sports-related issues.
On April 4, national cyclist Fatehah Mustapha announced her retirement through her social media. She expressed her gratitude towards KBS.
While the nation is currently in MCO, more Malaysians have turned to e-sports to kill their boredom. Several sport organisations in Kuala Lumpur with Federal Territories Minister, Tan Sri Annuar Musa organised an e-sports tournament, known as ‘Esports KL FIFA20: Stay Home & Play Online Challenge’.
However, the event did not involve KBS or its minister. Instead, the ministry was mentioned for being the inspiration of the event. Recently, KBS held a similar tournament with different games, but it was seen to be not attracting a high number of media exposure.
On April 11, five days after Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced the Prihatin Tambahan initiative, the Finance Ministry also extended the financial aid for students amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.
Form 6 and diploma students will be receiving one-off financial aid of RM200 each. In order to be eligible for the aid, student need to be studying in an educational institute under KBS, MARA or the Human Resource Ministry.
Based on media intelligence, again, the ministry was mentioned in articles although not being the one who made the directive decision.
Despite that, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Sri Reezal Merican Naina Merican was still the one who made the highest number of statements in regards of KBS from April 1 to 15.
He addressed on the anti-doping issue in relation to the weightlifting sports. The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) suspended Malaysia from taking part in weightlifting competition in the upcoming Tokyo Olympic Games.
It was a pressing issue but was not related to the current issue of Covid-19 pandemic. Additionally, he was only seen to be heavily quoted by the media on April 6, talking about the anti-doping issue.
On the other hand, the Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, Wan Ahmad Fayshal did not appear as one of the top influencers in KBS.