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Responses || Discussion || Debates || Commentaries

1. There’s a good reason it’s called TWO CENTS. That’s because opinions in the newspapers are really worth that much.

   Totally not worth the time.

   Comment published by vincent on 25 January 2008.
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2. An add on which I hope TwoSen would add, would be a feature to track letters sent in by readers (as opposed to those published by the newspapers. For every letter published, there are many others that are not. When they are published, letters are edited.

   Such a feature would allow readers to study how many letters do end up being published, what kind of letters are the ones that end up being published, which newspaper displays the greatest bias tendencies in addition to allowing readers to compare “sent in” versions vs. those that end up being published.

   In addition to encouraging further debate on published letters to the editors, TwoSen can play a role in checking against journalistic and editorial biases in the mainstream papers, especially as the mainstream press are very selective in picking issues that are not sensitive (crime, rempits, environment, buses, inefficient civil service), when in fact there are many other important issues that should be discussed but are being avoided (religion, race, corruption).

   Who watches the watchmen?

   Comment published by RL on 25 January 2008.
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3. Did any of you wise guys also think about whether anybody checks to see if all those letters are factually accurate?!?!

   That is precisely why editorial letters (biased or not) are only worth TWO CENTS.

   Comment published by vincent on 25 January 2008.
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4. I’m sure some of the letters are worth more than two cents….

   The idea for the website is good in terms as an archive, but it should end at that, unless it links these letters to replies, and at the same time, makes sure that such letters receive replies and the much needed feedback from whoever it requires.

   For example, if you’ve noticed, TM has never, ever written to any newspaper to explain it’s crappy broadband service, and has perhaps never seen a need to.

   Comment published by Aput on 26 January 2008.
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5. “sikit-sikit lama-lama jadi bukit”

   if you aggregate each 2 sen letter, you end up with quite a valuable resource of public opinion. the value/credibility of each individual opinion letter might be questionable but collectively, these letters are the closest representation of malaysian public opinion you’re likely to find.

   Comment published by jason on 26 January 2008.
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6. Closest representation?

   Wrong.

   You are assuming that the editors are unbiased in choosing the letters that get published.You are also assuming that people who read the newspapers and write in represent all social demographics and income groups. And you are also assuming that people who write in to complain about whatever are actually rational in their thoughts and have enough information to draw their conclusions.

   Comment published by vincent on 27 January 2008.
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7. i’d like to focus on what’s good about it for a moment.

   newspapers arent the best way to have conversations about an issue etc. this website is an extra avenue for that conversation surrounding those issues, and more avenues for information exchange and conversation around topics people care about has obvious benefits.

   Comment published by khailee on 27 January 2008.
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8. Guys, thanks for the mention and feedback thus far. It definitely helps to hear differing viewpoints.

   While we started TwoSen as a pet project to keep track of letters to editors, we envision that such websites may be able to offer more in terms of voicing out public opinions. The thread of discussions on TwoSen thus far has been positive, and we’re looking at incorporating the suggestions mentioned here to collate opinions from a larger pool. The challenge is in keeping the opinions structured, and helping the community work towards positive outcomes.

   Thanks again! My team and I will reply to the comment thread here as we release new updates / features.

   Comment published by Praveen Rajan on 27 January 2008.
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