The PM has acknowledged the bigger role played by the bloggers in giving feedback to the govt, or the govt listening to their grouses and acting on them. Outside of the establishment set ups, outside of the political system and intrique, there are a few more prominent voices in cyberspace that are gaining a bigger follower for their unrestraint and non party views, views that are personal, objective, neutral and perhaps strongly critical of the wrongs of our socio political system.
Among the more established bloggers are Lucky Tan of Diary of a Singaporean Mind, FeedMeToTheFish of the blog with the same name. Lucky has been providing very good economic analysis of what affects the current situation and thinking. Fish is more critical and cynical about the social and political mess we are in. There are also Molly of MollyMeek and the hilarious Mr Brown to add a little light hearted perspective to an otherwise hardcore political reporting. I could add a few more. Cyberspace is growing and can easily outgrow the main media in terms of numbers of bloggers and articles put out.
I would like to add two former newspaper men who have left the corridors of power and more or less on their own and free to offer critical and objective views of their own. Seah Chiang Nee may be free lancing for the Star in Malaysia, but he is still writing profusely on developments in the city state. And occasionally there is PN Balji who would chip in with his two cents worth. Their contributions have given cyberspace more authority as they were not minnows without any credentials.
2012 is likely to see more voices being heard in cyberspace and may these pioneers and stalwarts continue to write and contribute to the buzz and oomphs of cyberspace.
And there is Darkness watching all these developments. I have never trusted that guy, he is too smart for his own good.
ReplyDeleteGood governance is not listening and obeying what bloggers say. Afterall its only opinion. Before blogs there was "letters to the editor ", so people could always express themselves.
ReplyDeleteHowever it's wise for any government to notice the general mood and sentiment of the people.
It would be a good time to remind people that the proper governance of a REPUBLIC is through the rule of law, not the outpouring of opinion
"It would be a good time to remind people that the proper governance of a REPUBLIC is through the rule of law, not the outpouring of opinion."
ReplyDeleteYou are very right, that is probably the reason why if our govt keeps insisting on regulating the internet, then you will probably get the Brotherhood joining the opposition camp.
If they are sincere, then all those Youtube videos will disappear.
They are just trying to show off their real world capabilities, not everyone that blogs is a kid, some are really rich, ivy league and better educated and have stellar work careers that far exceed what the PAP has to offer.
The PAP better focus on customer satisfaction. We are living in very harsh times, if you cannot perform, out you go...next.
When a government rules by law, it is itself subject to the law, ie the constitution.
ReplyDeleteSingapore's constitution guarantees a free press and freedom of speech. When the government oversteps the line, it is up to the people to challenge, by using the law.
The people always get the government they deserve -- so they had better start governing the government by law.
Anyway internet regulation is only a few steps away. Western democracies have already started attempts to regulate, and the fight to maintain the internet as a "freedom space" will be ongoing, probably for as long as humans remain in existence.
One man's struggle against another man's oppression is the oldest fight in history
Matilah, you are getting younger every day. Soon you will be talking like an eight year old. And you believe in this?
ReplyDelete'When a government rules by law, it is itself subject to the law, ie the constitution.'
Not only do I believe it. I also know it to be true and at the end of the day, the law governs us all. And the law evolves over time, and needs to be tested in court FREQUENTLY.
ReplyDeleteBloggers can write the shit they like, but until some people take the government to task IN THE COURTS time after time after time, nothing notable will ever happen in the people's favour.
In other words, don't just continue to blame the government for their "oppression " just because you bloggers are a bunch of motherfucking cowards. ;-)
PS. I don't have a dog in this fight. I've already identified the cause of Singapore's eventual demise : the people, with their claim to arbitrary "rights" coupled with a healthy lack of personal responsibility with a dose of entitlement mentality thrown in as a bonus. THE PEOPLE... who will ALWAYS get the government they deserve!
ReplyDeleteIf I were in Oz, I will love to take my case to kangaroo courts.
ReplyDeleteWell stop dreaming and wishing like a 5 year old girl. You are in Singapore. If you really gave a shit (which I doubt) you 'd be testing your own judiciary and overtime getting them to apply the law BLINDY and UNIVERSALLY.
ReplyDeleteDon't worry about Oz. We have our own breed of crazies here
I guess that one place Matilah will want to avoid at all cost will be the Court unless he is subpoena'd.
ReplyDeleteHe is instigating the Suing and Taking of rulers to the Court as jesting.
If you look at how laws evolve in free societies, you'll understand that authority has to be challenged frequently.
ReplyDeleteIn Spore a few folks have done this. LKY challenged the Brits, and then the Malaysians. Then later there was David Marshal. Then JBJ who brought the fight to the Privy Council. Also Francis Seow, CSJ, Gopalan Nair, John Harding who's challenged the authorities to "justice" in US Courts. You need dissatisfied individuals who are willing to challenge the state on the points of LAW.
My point : constitutional challenges are THE HARDEST. But their outcomes form the basis of freedom and liberty (or restrictions upon) on which the individuals in the society can thrive and grow, and excel at their own chosen pursuits instead of having the state "plan" their lives for them"
We, the Citizens Of Sin had witnessed the Fights In Cout by those You mentioned.
ReplyDeleteAnd we, including Matilah Singapura, knew the Results.
Me thinks, Singaporeans need ONE THAT IS ABOVE THOSE DEFEATED HEROES, in strategy and resourcefulness. Each time me hopes for such a person, Matilah Singapura comes to mind. Do it, here or anywhere, your contribution will NEVER BE FORGOTTEN by sons, dauters and great grandchildren of Singaporeans.
As I've frequently told the readers: I have no dog in tnis fignt. I enjoy commenting and aking the piss out of "oh-so-serious" situations -- IMO mostly nonsense blown way out of proportion. But to act out as a "patriot ", not in my plans folks. My plans revolve only about what is good for Number One -- ME.
ReplyDeleteI've lived in many places, and Spore is one of the EASIEST places to live. Problems? What problems? If you mind your own business, and solve your problems you needn't concern yourself with much else. Politics is minding other people's business. Minding your own business is to eschew political solutions and concentrate on "winning" in a meritocracy (aka the free market).
That's what I'm about. Allowing people to fail and succeed according to their own fortune and choices
As far as Sin is concerned, even the most loyal Sinkies CANNOT BE patriots.
ReplyDeleteSin was NEVER A NATION AND NEVER WILL BE.
We are talking about individuals liked those mentioned by Matilah Singapura.
At least some readers here will be thrilled to have some judges screw by M_S in Court.