Singaporeans will be going to the polls in about six day’s time. This time, the elections have taken on a multi-dimensional approach as new media has come to the fore. During each rally each night, thousands of images, tweets and Youtube videos would be uploaded, shared, and commented on.
From Facebook fan pages for various political parties and specific politicians and activists, to YouTube videos, to live streaming of political rallies, to multiple blogs and viral images, there is no doubt that the power of new media is a force to be reckoned with.
I’ve listed below some of the many links that will help you get a handle on the politics of new media and the new media of politics!
In the wake of the recent Japanese earthquake, the whole world has been galvanised into action. Many are raising funds, volunteering, doing something, anything, to try to help the situation and lessen the devastating impact of the horrifying earthquake and subsequent tsunamis.
An interesting project that has developed in the aftermath is #Quakebook, the labour of love of 300 strangers who came together online to produce an e-book of 89 stories of people’s experiences in the earthquake and tsunami, all in the name of charity to raise funds for the Red Cross, to benefit the victims in Japan. The call to action was made on Twitter (hashtag #quakebook) and the stories unfolded on Twitter.
That tweet was quickly deleted and followed up by apology tweets from HPB, saying that the profanity was a mistake. It was human error. A staff member in charge of tweeting for HPB had sent the rude tweet thinking that it was from a personal account and not the company account!
In a way, HPB showed its maturity in how it dealt with the situation. Instead of being defensive, it apologised for the rude tweet (and I’m pretty sure the staff involved has been counselled). Many netizens also showed their maturity in accepting the apology. Instead of deriding the organisation (a government body no less), many were understanding of the human error on the part of the staff and accepted HPB’s apology.
But I’m sure that has not stopped the PR and corporate comms divisions of many other bodies from holding emergency meetings on the corporate use of new media, and using the HPB example as a cautionary tale.
The thing is that Charice Pempengco was relatively unknown and shot to fame because of Youtube. I have written many previous posts on how Youtube and other new media sites have helped to launch the careers of many artistes and Charice is yet another one.
Since gaining her Youtube fame, she has gone on to be invited to talk shows with hosts such as Oprah and Ellen, which has undoubtedly catapulted her to greater heights!
How she got to be on GLEE is quite a strange story. Apparently, she heard rumours that she was going to be on GLEE and after hearing them, decided to audition for the show and promptly got the part.
And how did we learn about her new role – from her use of new media of course. She announced it on Twitter.
For five weeks, the stars of the show will be Tweeting their lines to be followed by the audience. This is meant to give an update on the old tale to make it more contemporary and to connect with the tec-generation teens of today.
The production is aptly called ‘Such Tweet Sorrow’ and you can follow the tweets as the story unfolds. Talk about an interesting style of digital storytelling!
Well, you tell me…does a rose by any other name smell just as tweet?
Or what do you think of the following that I’ve concocted?If Shakespeare had Twitter: Brevity is the soul of tweet. 1:41 PM Jun 25th, 2009 via web
If Shakespeare had Twitter: What’s in a name? That which we call a tweet by any other name would smell as sweet. 1:41 PM Jun 25th, 2009 via web
If Shakespeare had Twitter: Beware the tweets of March. 1:40 PM Jun 25th, 2009 via web
If Shakespeare had Twitter: To tweet or not to tweet; that is the question 1:40 PM Jun 25th, 2009 via web
Also known as the ‘Twitdress’, it’s seen as the first ever outfit to combine social media and fashion in interesting mix.
Twitter Dress
The dress is connected to the Internet and the collar she has around her neck displays the tweets and messages sent by her fans and she is also able to send tweets to update her fans – that’s real live action from the red carpet and stage! The dress is apparently designed by Waldermeyer, and it looks like the Twitdress not only causes talk, but talks as well, and we will be looking at more of such creations in the future.
What does Steve Jobs, Bill gates, Obama and Fann Wong have in common, besides the fact they are all celebrities in their own ways? Well, they have all had fake profiles created in their name.
Fake Steve Jobs lasted a really long time before people found him out.
Well, I guess that’s part of the price of fame – you are bound to inspire imitators. The only thing is for your fans and loved ones to know you well enough to spot the real from the fake.
Talk about your life being an open (face)book and how you could be tweeting your life away…I came across this wedding video on Youtube where just after the couple have exchanged their vows and are married, they both whip out their mobile devices to update their status on their social networking sites!
I don’t know if that’s cute or sad…
One wonders what their friends will hear of next…what they did on their honeymoon, their first quarrel, what they feel about the in-laws, etc, etc…Talk about how one can be so intimately entwined with new media!
A team of young PAP bloggers were on hand to capture and update posts on the fly on the PAP website as well as on Facebook and Twitter, and netizens could also send Twitter updates and comments. At the same time, partcipants at the event could sms their comments and questions, making the whole atmosphere seem very Web 2.0 – the age of participation and engagement.
According to an article by CNA, “this is the first time new media tools have been given such a prominent spot at the PAP Convention. It is part of a broader effort to update and refresh the party image, reach out to the wider public, and hopefully bring in new members”. Young PAP has a Facebook page to reach out to the young too.
I believe this could be seen as a sincere attempt by the party to use new media to engage its members as well as the larger public. This could be a response to comments made about lip service and all.
The party also screened his political video, in a move to signal that yes, political videos are acceptable. In fact, the government has announced that political videos would be allowed for the next GE.
This is one of the videos – on Unsung Heroes:
Also, in a move to also reflect the age of participation in the live event, (not just in virtual worlds) the party invited ordinary members to make speeches and reach out to their fellow member.
We look forward to seeing how new media will be used to enhance the political climate in Singapore!
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