Social media’s growing clout

Monday was a great day for social media. It was quoted profusely by the main media on all the saucy comments about Ravi’s dance performance in Hong Lim Park. It used to be the other way, when social media quotes main media for news and information.

The growing presence and relevance of social media is again proven by the suspension of an NPark officer and the investigation into the irregularities in purchasing $2,200 folding bikes for its officers. The case was brushed off quickly by officialdom when it first surfaced. It was through the tireless great investigative work of social media that revealed so many discrepancies and doubtful practices that this case can no longer be swept under the carpet. Many netizens are calling for an investigation by CPIB.

The main media was at a lost and one main media journalist was quoted to have sought assistance from a netizen journalist on how to go about conducting investigative journalism. This is about the best recognition social media reporters/journalists could ever hope to get from the professional and well paid and well trained main media journalists.

Social media is going to get more relevant with each passing day. But one must be cautioned about how easily social media can be abused. All it needs to do is to plant a few jokers to make all the comments wanted and these can then be quoted as genuine feedbacks from the bloggers or netizens. In reality, the feedbacks and comments were preconceived and to be used for a planned purpose.

While social media is flourishing in its free and unfettered ways, all must be made aware that many disinformation, can be planted to confuse and abuse the social media.

Social media reporters/journalists/bloggers must continue to strive to provide genuine and factual reports and articles to maintain their integrity and the integrity of social media as an alternative source of news and information.