The power of new media

THE recent liberalisation of rules governing political activity in cyberspace not only signals the Government's recognition of its influence on younger voters, but is also a tacit admission that tight regulation of the Internet is impossible.

New media is the most effective way in engaging us, as it is an integral part of our lives. The easiest ways to share and disseminate information among us are through blogs, social networking and video-sharing sites.

The ruling Barisan Nasional of Malaysia all but ignored the impact of new media in the general election earlier this year, culminating in the opposition's astounding victory in five states. Such is the change that new media can bring if it is expeditiously harnessed.

The spawning of socio-political sites, such as The Young Republic, and independent student-run online newspapers are signs that young Singaporeans are yearning to make their voices heard.

Muhammad Farouq Osman, 19, has a place to read arts and social sciences at the National University of Singapore (NUS).

Preaching to the converted

NEW media is a platform for politicians to showcase their dynamism, with on-the-go updates and insights into their leadership through images, videos and Web design.

This intimacy and lack of apparent filters allow us to gauge clearly the politicians via their blogs or websites.

But ultimately, Web appeal is like preaching to the converted: Would you go to the website of someone you don't support in the first place?

I am a Facebook fan of United States President-elect Barack Obama only because I believe in him.

Eef Gerard Van Emmerik, 20, has a place to read law at the Singapore Management University (SMU).

Chat with us - on Facebook

PUTTING videos and podcasts on the People's Action Party's website is a step forward. But the content mostly remains the same: MPs and ministers giving speeches. That doesn't make me sit up.

Chatting and responding to comments on Facebook is a good start. Dr Lim Wee Kiak, an MP for Sembawang GRC, is one of the rare few who bother to update their status regularly and reply to wall posts. A more radical move would be to have an online weekly meet-the-netizen session. Such chats would complement real meet-the-people sessions.

Ephraim Loy, 26, is a third-year social science student at SMU.

Nothing beats the personal touch

A POLITICIAN should not just make himself accessible to young people, but also make them feel they can make a difference. Merely having a Facebook page will not do.

Instead, politicians should go to schools and address students' concerns on policies that affect them.

Technology is convenient but it cannot beat the personal touch. Face-to-face interactions are more effective because students can receive immediate replies to their questions.

Berton Lim, 20, is a first-year business administration student at NUS.

Slipping through the Net

WHILE the PAP tries to make inroads into cyberspace with videos and podcasts, the Internet remains the last frontier of information traffic.

How can anybody tame the wild beast of the Internet? It is a case of damned if you do, damned if you don't.

Online content by the PAP is deemed by sceptics to be propaganda. Every word is scrutinised and heavily criticised. Add the veil of anonymity to the Net and what we get in forums and blogs are conspiracy theories and silly comments. It is difficult to separate these from truthful, useful information.

I can't see how the PAP can effectively reach out to large numbers of youth through the Net. This is one constituency the 'Men In White' cannot win.

Jason Hau, 23, is a third-year communications and new media undergraduate at NUS.

This article was first published in The Straits Times on 8 Dec, 2008.