New Media – Power to the people or threat to stability?

I personally feel that the New Media is more boon than bane.


Free speech is the power bestowed onto the people and that bloggers and citizen journalists are increasingly shaping the global media agenda. An example provided is that during the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, the Baghdad Blogger provided global audiences with a glimpse of what life was like for ordinary Iraqis stuck between an invading army and a brutal dictator. This enabled the world to understand and be able to have a perspective of what is happening.

Unlike the traditional media like newspapers where articles can be rejected to be publish by the editors if he or she deemed it as inappropriate, this new media allows people to have the power to post their opinions online without fear that it would be censor should they opted to posted it on paper. The internet not only makes possible a more engaging form of journalism, it also puts greater control in the hands of the audience as they are allow to draw their own conclusions as to their meaning. For instance, APBnews, which was founded in 1998, is recognised as a reliable source of crime news. Like other credible news source, this site provides a global audience with alternative journalistic voices to contrast the mainstream reporting of multinational commercial organisations.

However, this new power can also be a two-edged sword. The article “Countering the threat of self-radicalisation” stated that violent extremists can also make use of it to influence people and caused the country to be politically unstable. This shows that the new media can also be a threat to stability. For instance, in October 2005, two Singaporeans posted inflammatory racist and vicious remarks about Muslims and Malays on the Internet. With the current terrorism threats, there is a need for especial sensitivity of racial and religious issues in our multi-cultural society. After all, this comments which resulted from the freedom of speech can sparked off social unrest and be a threat to stability.

To conclude:
With great power, come great responsibility.
With freedom of speech, come EVEN GREATER responsibility.