Role of Traditional and Online Media in the 12th General Election, Malaysia

By Elliana Mellisa bt. Mohd 2009910425

Social networks are not new phenomenon on the internet as people began to socialize with one another frequently. The most popular social networks these days are Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and Blog. Online social networks focus on building and reflecting social relationships among people who share interests, in formations or activities. Social media is being used by everybody including Prime Minister and other politicians.


The participation of citizens in the news and information industry however, is not a new phenomenon. Writing letters, providing observations, giving information and submitting personal or group photographs, audio or video to the mainstream media have been common practices that predate the Internet. Many analysts believe that by using new media, it can help to overcome the lack of media freedom. The new media is being use by the politicians to update and to share thoughts, information or opinion on what really is happening to them daily. By doing this, it can enable the politician to promote themselves and to get a fast feedback from their followers.

The Internet definitely is a medium that can be used to challenge a regime that does not respect democratic practices and to weaken the traditional print and broadcast media that are controlled by the government or companies who close to it. The Internet, especially through blogs and Internet news portals, has given civil society and Malaysian people a new hope to be able to access informed, critical views that challenge the government, information that is hardly to be heard by the government and the dissatisfaction of the among community through Internet.


In Malaysia, the politician and the social media appear as activities of individuals and civil society groups that aimed at correcting political bias in the mainstream media. The arrival of the Internet in the country has allowed various users in one way or another to use new media to correct the imbalance. The mainstream media features prominently in how the opposition is put together in Malaysia in terms of its public image and outreach. Without any fair access to the media, electoral success for the opposition is also impossible to promise. Hence, the mainstream media is seen as one of the very important barrier that can delay the development of the individual democracy.

Reference: http://search.taylors.edu.my/journalonline/Vol%201/SEARCH%20Vol%201/Usha(k)(SP)33-58.pdf

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Traditional Media Vs New Media

By Dalila Aimi binti Marzuki 2009748585

The important of mass media is doubtlessly acknowledged by all.  Everywhere we go, we are connected to the world through mass media. The early years saw the traditional media such as radio broadcasting and television as the most influential tools in people’s daily life.  From east to west, regardless of the age, people are affected by it. Interaction of long distance is no more a major problem since the rise of the mass media has eased the relationship between the world communities. Through radio, television and newspaper we managed to engage with the shared events from football match to royal wedding and to democratic elections. It’s like the outside world has been brought up in our home by just one click button.

As years passed by, the new media emerged with the fanfare technological of innovation. The rise of new media has increased communication between people all over the world with the growth of Internet. It has allowed people to express themselves through blogs, websites, pictures, and other user-generated media. The era of this digital and internet revolution has changed the world into one global society. Though so, cyber crises seemed to creep up on one side. Due to more channels and sources available, information is prone to be cluttered contributing to lack of accuracy.

Today, the function of new media has widening. Despite of being a fast developing communication technology, it helps our country embracing the emergence of global culture of information based system. In Malaysia, the challenges posed by new media are getting severe due to the multi-ethnic and religious society.

New media is now to be used as the magnet to gain support from the people by the political parties. The role of social media particularly the blogger becomes essential as they have wielded power to influence people. Commonly today, we can see young people tethered to their cell phones to text and access social networking sites on the street, on transportation, in school and at home. The environment of the media has changed and therefore the youth is essentially to achieve professionalism to curb confusion. To conclude, the traditional media and new media both serves vital function in today’s global world. From time to time, service improvement is needed to ensure the potential reach of the user of worldwide highly guaranteed.


Reference:
http://www.aibd.org.my/node/1226
http://www.aibd.org.my/node/1227

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