Missing the heartbeat of a nation


Big shock?: Election results being broadcast on news tickers in Times Square, New York, last Tuesday night. — ©2024 The New York Times Company

IT’S a repeat of what happened in 2016. Then, the United States media predicted – wrongly – that Donald Trump would lose the presidential election. Trump went on to beat Hilary Clinton, the Democrat candidate.

The US media, particularly CNN and the other national media in the country, were caught flat-footed.

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Wong Chun Wai

Wong Chun Wai

Wong Chun Wai began his career as a journalist in Penang and served Star Media Group for nearly four decades in various capacities and roles. He was group editorial and corporate affairs adviser to the group, after having served as group managing director/chief executive officer. "On The Beat" debuted on Feb 23, 1997. Chun Wai has penned the column weekly without a break, except for occasional press holidays when the paper was not published. In May 2011, a compilation of selected articles of On The Beat was published as a book and launched in conjunction with his 50th birthday. Chun Wai also comments on current issues in The Star. He is now chairman of national news agency Bernama.

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