STAR2 Deputy Editor Daryl Goh was instrumental in coming up with the name R.AGE, which wasn’t a popular choice initially. Ten years on, Goh recalls how they finally settled on the name, and how it would represent The Star’s dedication to giving Malaysian youth a voice.
Star2 Features Deputy Editor Daryl Goh holding an issue of R.AGE for the R.AGE 10th anniversary issue.
> How did you come up with the name R.AGE? Do you remember the moment when inspiration struck?
The editors had a meeting back in 2005 and decided that they wanted an edgier youth section, something to correspond with the times.
It was time to lose the cheerleading youth image. It was meant to be a college pullout where the young readers played a major part in the development of the section.
For the pullout’s name, I was toying around with the idea of using or adapting a band name.
And then, of course, Rage Against The Machine came into the picture.
It was an obvious fit to use “Rage” – but we had to convince the editors to look at the word in a positive way.
It’s like you can have a raging argument with a young person for days. And it will all come good. I’m all for healthy and heated exchanges.
> What were your expectations of R.AGE when it first started?
It did what it needed to do in the college scene. To get the young masses interested and involved in this college-style paper – it distributed free.
I think during this pre-social media era, R.AGE made its own way and gained a following which would later expand further.
> You’ve seen R.AGE grow over the years. What are your thoughts on its evolution?
Ten years is a long time and I’ve seen so many writers growing up with R.AGE. There is a sizeable alumni of R.AGE writers now.
Each batch of writers have left their own mark. R.AGE has got its presence everywhere – in The Star newspaper, online, social media and also various ground events.
R.AGE has also been winning industry awards, so all I have to say is to keep on keeping on.
> What do you think is R.AGE’s biggest accomplishment in terms of catering to young people?
There have been several thoughtful campaigns. Personally, I’m most pleased with the anti-bullying campaign, which was timely. Such ongoing awareness-raising programmes have given R.AGE a significant voice in youth communities.
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