COMMENT | Rise of podcasting and its threat to critical discourse

COMMENT | One clip from a local Malaysian podcast went viral on X recently where a local academic made some audacious claims regarding Malay history.

The host, a veteran local actor, accepts these as truths and does not question them, responding earnestly.

The clip went viral on X as many others felt otherwise as they considered the claim ridiculous, unsubstantiated and a few called into question the quality of work of the academic. But the clip does put forth certain ahistorical arguments that seek to advance certain political agendas.

In the last couple of months, there have been some striking talking points entering the Malaysian public sphere, coming through the medium of podcasts.

Former politicians, academics (myself included), and influencers have taken to using podcasts as...