Alternative media rules the politics

In the recent general elections on the 8th of March, for the first time since its independence, the Barisan Nasional did not manage to gain its usual two third majority. Instead, the Opposition gained much success as compared with their previous tries. Most people are crediting the use of online media for this success and it seems it could be quite possible. Most Malaysians are rather tech savvy and the convenience of the Internet and mobile phones becomes an added advantage (Ramachandran & Vijaindren 2008).

The freedom of expression made available for use by the Internet helped conform the success for political campaigns. The Opposition had limited use for mainstream media and so turned to online for help. And in doing so, it caused a much unprecedented change to the results for the elections.

Considering the popularity of the use of new media, it does not come as a surprise that campaigning through the Net was and will remain successful. About 60 per cent of Malaysians were known to use the Internet with an average of six hours spent logged on as reported by Wong (2008). There are various forms of online media that political parties could use to spread their messages such as online forums (LowYat.net), online news portals free from the stronghold of the government (MalaysiaKini) and of course political blogs (JeffOoi.com).

Alternative media has brought about a new change in the meaning of Malaysian democracy and seems most likely to remain. At the very least, this freedom is a right for all.

References:

Oon, Y. 2008, ‘An exciting time for the news media’, The Star Online 8 May, viewed 2 October 2008, http://www.thestar.my/columnists/story.asp?file=/2008/5/8/columnists/wikimedia/21173737&sec=Wikimedia.

Ramachandran, S. & Vijaindren, A. 2008, ‘CYBER clout’, NST Online 16 March, viewed 2 October 2008, http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Sunday/Focus/20080316091740/Article/index_html.

Wong, KK 2008, ‘Media in Malaysia: The Peculiar Case of Mainstream Media Versus Alternative Media’, Ateneo Center for Asian Studies, viewed 11 November 2008, http://www.admu.edu.ph/offices/acas/.