From the past up until today, everyone crave for the right to have freedom, and most often spokes of today would the issue in relation to freedom of speech in few countries. Everyone wants to have able to voice opinion regarding issues ongoing in individuals own country such as subjects in relation to democracy issues within a country or country's income or even tax payments. The people have no one to turn to, in the case of media usage as well certain countries media are being governed by officials to ensure no news in relation to the goverment officials which are bad are displayed in front of millions of people via Broadcast, print, interactive and any other types of media out there today. In the past, it seems so believable that everything especially in television media are all so believable especially in news, and also if one have discomforts about a particular news especially in relation to politics, it can become really controversial in one's words.
Today, is different with the emergence of the internet media and the two major social networking sites Twitter & Facebook. Anyone can just post up a status in their own wall telling everyone in his/her social circle of friends. Any discomfort can be just post up on Facebook or Twitter. These two platforms of the internet has given many people the need of individuals to voice out their opinions and thoughts without having too much trouble with officials authority. It has given people a possible loophole in expressing one's inner thoughts or dissatisfaction towards the higher authorities. The need to voice out is very important to people especially in having a fully democratic country, where govern officials can take a look into the public needs and work upon having satisfying the needs and wants of the people. Having to filter or disallowing comments of the public but claiming one country as a democratic society, one could say the main core of democracy is not even there to begin with, without people there wont be a country, without a country there will be no government or without the people there will be no king.
The Word of mouth, is a definite more stronger effect compared to the ones seen on official media such as television, radio, newspaper, magazines, govern internet sites and etc, people will believe their own friends and relatives more rather than the media. Thus, with Facebook and Twitter, any latest news, trend, fashion, event, activity people will have access to this information on these social networking sites which friends and relatives of each individuals 1 out of 10 people will very least post up few of the latest scoop of news on their wall which thus can be seen on the Wall of each individuals allowing comments to be made. Looking into Twitter as well, similarly it has trends which have "#" for trend setting which will give people to know what are the in topics in today's society throughout the whole world, and people can just type in whatever each of them wants to into their Twitter Tweet box status and then posting it up. These 2 platforms have greatly served the need of the people in the position of freedom of speech which allow anyone to just post anything up on the internet.
The internet especially major sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube have really change the perception of keeping people updated with latest stories around the world also gives room for people in public to voice out their opinion upon anything which are posted up upon the internet or anything which is happening in world today. With just one comment box and a topic, anything can happen especially between the users which will open up to sometimes more to a reproductive stage of allowing govern officials to work on satisfying the wants and needs of the people, for example: X says "Hey! this group of people are stupid, then another user comes, Y says "You think you very smart? Chinese ****?" thus racial conflict will happen with never ending comments by more and more users adding oil to the flame which sometimes can actually benefit the government officials by analyzing the problems faced by their people then helping them in return of helping themselves to develop into a better country.
With the simple mechanism of freedom of speech such as Facebook and Twitter, it definitely has a larger impact then the previous media in the past history of media usage which has actually revolutionize every manner of activity of how work, entertainment, information gathering is done.
Readings are based on
"Facebook and Twitter are just places revolutionaries go" by Evgeny Morozov
Hey there,
ReplyDeleteI agree that the new media is used by the government and people to voice out their political views. But since internet is a powerful tool it threatens the goverment because it cant be controlled. Which can harm the economic and harmony of the country.
The fact that new technologies allow for us to participate in citizen journalism I think is great too.
hey bro,
ReplyDeletei certainly agree that the new media especially like Internet used by the people would help in seeking the truth and what's behind the scene.. Things like protest and issues can be done online and people can know the truth about what's happening in no time.. thanks to the facebook and twitter...our society has become more alert on whats happening too... take it for example like the acid splasher that happen few months ago.. people were posting up comments to stay alert around certain areas.. this has indirectly make people to be more alert when nearby the mentioned places.... however technologies certainly improved our lifestyle but misusing it is another issue too!...so use wisely and it will serves us right!
Hi,
ReplyDeleteYes, Facebook and Twitter change our society included politic. For example, Obama's Twitter. Obama have 10,914,933 by today. See there are so many people from various countries concern on what Obama post on his Twitter. Obviously, SNS for politic can be influential.
Things related to politics that posted or shared via SNS can be viral and reach mass audience. If bad things are shared out, no turning back. Thus, people included politicians sure have to filter what they are going to share out on SNS otherwise the harmony of our society would be affected and destroyed.
Hi Kok Han!
ReplyDeleteYou had highlighted something that amazes me a lot. The fact that Facebook (or even the Internet as a whole) having too much freedom has in fact leading to the misuse of individuals with all kinds of purposes & motivations. Although we always fight for the rights of the Internet to be totally free, but looking at this case, perhaps it's not a good idea after all. Perhaps in this sense, we need to input some kind of control to the content of the Internet so as to keep ourselves updated with the society and environment we are in. If we insist in giving the Internet the freedom it deserves, the superiors can also monitor the Internet, not to control it, but to ensure that the people are satisfied with the situation now. I guess this is a very important major to look into because the Internet is a stage where individuals are totally free & comfortable in voicing & expressing their opinions & feelings. Thus, looking at this possibility, I personally feel that the superiors have the need to access this platform so as to keep themselves updated with the people's needs & wants, as well as the emotions & feelings as well.
Nice post! Enjoyed reading it :)