COMMENT | For over two decades, Malaysiakini was tasked with delivering the “news and views that matter”.

The country’s first online news portal branded itself as a transformative force for “reformasi”. Its reporting, in stark contrast to the BN-aligned mainstream media, resonated with readers eager for critical journalism that pushes the boundaries.

It is still on task, as Aidila Razak writes, in spite of the personal risks and financial constraints of investigative journalism. Its long history and awards are well-documented in the Google sphere.

However, in a competitive online mediascape where different news portals are running somewhat similar content, Malaysiakini’s standing as the “go-to” alternative site is not guaranteed by intelligent and discerning readers.

Readership demographics and content preferences have shifted since Malaysiakini was first published in November 1999.