Week 10 - Internet and Politics

With the Singapore General Election coming up, I foresee that there will be a lot of online activity generated by people's political interests and concerns. The social media was not as developed during the previous election period five years ago, and citizen journalism was still a rather new concept then. We are talking about different times now. With the use of Facebook and blogs, it is easier for people to discuss and share their political views and opinions (as long as they do not cross the boundaries of attacking any political parties online). It is also easier for people to bring to attention the political issues that has been on their hearts and minds.

The Internet is a revolution by itself. We have seen how the Internet has brought about political change in several countries. Even Obama made used of the Internet (like Facebook and Youtube) to gain support and popularity for his presidential election in 2008. With the Internet campaign launched by Obama and his team, he won the election. The Internet also sped up the process of the Egyptian Revolution earlier on this year.

We have already seen the online video on PAP's youngest candidate Tin Pei Ling in class, and the same video is becoming viral on the Internet. I am sure more attention will be focused on her in time to come, and the social media would be the place where many voice out their thoughts about her and the election. This is just the start.

With the availability of Youtube, I think rallies will be videoed and uploaded online, and the reach of each political parties, especially of the opposition's (because of limited exposure), will be much extended. Singaporeans living or working overseas will be able to get recent and frequent updates on the political scene and social situations in Singapore and cast their votes wisely even though they are not physically here.

Change has been the big word since Obama's 2008 presidential campaign. And now, in Singapore, many are crying for change as well. No matter which party wins the majority of the seats, all Singaporeans hope is for the country to become a better nation for its people, not only economically, but as a whole.