In this internet era, most of the content is parked predominantly on social media platforms. We are talking about Meta-owned platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Thread, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn and others. The rest are at the other corner of the internet—websites. Those platforms were preaching about human rights as if they were the true world champions of free and fair speech. For years, we’ve pretty much bought the doctrine of their one-sided narratives—who’s on the right side of history and who isn’t.
Thanks to the internet and the more powerful social media play from the non-Western and some from the Western users, the game has changed. We are seeing now the narratives are somehow in balance—no longer one-sided and biased. The social media platforms are getting upset now because their narratives are being actively countered by the opposite end.
This is where they started to ban and shadow-ban those who were against them.
I must say, the frustration with mainstream social media’s pro-Israel stance is beyond words. Except for Asia-based TikTok, those platforms seem to align themselves with a narrative that stifles dissenting voices—trying their level best to defend the wrongs. From X to Meta-owned behemoths like Instagram and Facebook, users who dare to speak out against the terrorist-like actions of the Israel militants find themselves swiftly banned or shadow-banned. Even professional networking site LinkedIn, owned by Microsoft, has joined the ranks of platforms limiting the reach of pro-Palestinian content. They are trying to silence the truth coming from the opposite end.
Enter 300th.
It is another Asian content-sharing platform based out of Malaysia created to offer a place where social content creators, writers and bloggers to seek refuge and park their critical-thinking thoughts there. 300th is not a social media platform, but a content-sharing place. Positioned as a user-generated, 300th prioritises the voices of creators seeking an alternative to the status quo. What sets it apart is not just its commitment to free expression, but its strategic approach to circumventing the limitations imposed by the Western-based social media channels.
To be on the safe side, I’m going to move my sincere thoughts here gradually. I no longer find LinkedIn, which platform I’m actively in, safe for my critical-thinking narratives. Personally, I am confident with 300th as the platform is created by Malaysians and hosted in the country. Furthermore, it relies minimally on social media to expand its reach which means it operates with a degree of independence from the Western-dominated tech players. From my observation, 300th relies pretty much on the number of subscribers the authors are attracting. For example, if I can consistently produce great quality articles, my subscribers here will grow and my reach will be better too as the outreach or distribution of the article will be made via email. The channel is more direct and algorithm-free.
I guess what matters here is that 300th is unapologetically committed to the principles of giving a voice to the people who need to be heard. Here, critical thoughts need not be stifled or censored indiscriminately. Instead, they are welcomed and embraced as vital contributions to a vibrant platform of critical thoughts and ideas. As Asian writers and bloggers seek refuge from the one-sided narratives propagated by mainstream platforms, we can find solace—and solidarity—on this platform.
Here, the voices that have been silenced elsewhere can finally be heard, loud and clear.
Image — Wikipedia/Naaman Omar apaimages
