January 4, 2006

Media Madness: Malaysian Bigfoot Flap

I’ve already commented on the historical nature of the Malaysian reports of what is unfortunately being called a "Bigfoot." (Hey, what’s wrong with using the local name for this cryptid? Maybe Orang Dalam, perhaps?)

So, today, I just wanted to mention a brief informal statistical media analysis that is being noted by the media itself. The essence of what is occurring is that the news organizations are realizing this story is sweeping the media.

Yesterday and today, for example, Reuters spread their story that basically said: "Bigfoot fever is gripping Malaysia, with local newspapers and the official news agency reporting sightings of a huge ape in southern rainforests."

The media self-referencing included this: "The Malayasian press is enjoying the story, running headlines like ‘Rangers on the trail of Bigfoot’ and ‘Villagers’ close encounter with Bigfoot.’"

Indeed, one Australian newspaper used this headline "Going Ape Over ‘Bigfoot’" today.

Since December 24, 2005 through January 4, 2006, over a hundred papers around the globe have published articles on the sightings in Malaysia of unknown hairy bipedal hominoids. Many or most are showing up multiple times on websites, in blogs, and thus in email messages worldwide.

We are in the midst of a bona-fide major "monster flap," and it’s time to realize it. The newspapers traditionally foreshadow an indication of what the electronic broadcast media will "discover" is hot within the next two weeks. Watch for mainstream television and cable news outlets to hint at the reports of these Malaysian "Bigfoot" sightings. Then, they will be followed by documentary film companies deciding if they should include the accounts in their future proposed reality programming. We may be hearing about "Malaysian Bigfoot" accounts for some time.

How long will this flap last? And of course, the big question, can any legitimate funding be found for such cryptozoological investigations, which, if you read carefully, was a reason behind why the local officials started talking about these reports? Will any of this Malaysian media madness foretell any truly scientific expeditions, which will produce concrete helpful evidence? Only time will tell, but for now, we are definitely in the midst of a cryptozoological nine-day wonder.

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See also Craig’s recent postings on the story as it developed, from the oldest to the newest:

Bigfoot on the Loose in Malaysia

More on the Malaysian Bigfoot

Malaysian Bigfoot Caught on Camera?

Malaysian Cryptotourism Spurred by Bigfoot

Loren Coleman About Loren Coleman
Loren Coleman is one of the world’s leading cryptozoologists, some say “the” leading living cryptozoologist. Certainly, he is acknowledged as the current living American researcher and writer who has most popularized cryptozoology in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Starting his fieldwork and investigations in 1960, after traveling and trekking extensively in pursuit of cryptozoological mysteries, Coleman began writing to share his experiences in 1969. An honorary member of Ivan T. Sanderson’s Society for the Investigation of the Unexplained in the 1970s, Coleman has been bestowed with similar honorary memberships of the North Idaho College Cryptozoology Club in 1983, and in subsequent years, that of the British Columbia Scientific Cryptozoology Club, CryptoSafari International, and other international organizations. He was also a Life Member and Benefactor of the International Society of Cryptozoology (now-defunct). Loren Coleman’s daily blog, as a member of the Cryptomundo Team, served as an ongoing avenue of communication for the ever-growing body of cryptozoo news from 2005 through 2013. He returned as an infrequent contributor beginning Halloween week of 2015. Coleman is the founder in 2003, and current director of the International Cryptozoology Museum in Portland, Maine.

Filed under Abominable Snowman, Bigfoot, Breaking News, Cryptotourism, CryptoZoo News, Cryptozoology, Malaysian Bigfoot, Media Appearances, Pop Culture, Television