Social Media, the new fourth estate that cannot be ignored

It is about 10 years since the internet becomes another serious source of news and voice for the masses here. The lighter touch by the Govt, should the citizens be grateful to this, has allowed social media to gain acceptance by people seeking a more honest view of things and events in the country. Of course social media will have its hordes of very one sided view bloggers, just like main media. But on the whole the more rational middle ground is emerging to give more credibility to social media as an alternative voice.

The recent events surrounding so many controversial issues have enhanced the status and importance of social media for that perspective that cannot be found in the main media. Social media is gaining an ever larger group of followers and readers seeking for the truth, a balance to the one sided reporting of main media.

The new role of social media can be seen in the recent protests in Hong Lim Park. Though these events were strangely not reported in the main media until the day after, social media is now able to inform and mobilize the public to attend such events of mass appeal. More national issues that somehow would not be spoken off in the main media, like AIM, or understandable issues, will see more coverage by social media. Yes, social media has its role cut out with the main media doing what is the right thing and reporting on the right thing.

The social media will report on its own version of the right thing, with scars and warts and stench. In this aspect, the main media has no equal and cannot compete. And social media is there for free, and written by volunteers whose qualifications and integrity are no lesser than those paid reporters and journalists.

Another role that will take on more prominence in social media is to demand for action from public and private institutions. It was the norm in the past to write to the main media for complaints and grievances of the small people that were ignored by institutions. Writing to the main media, and if found suitable by the editors, would elicit immediate responses from the agency or institution concerned. The qualification is suitability in the judgement of the editors. If it was found unsuitable, then it would not see daylight.

Social media will not enforce such censorship. Everything will be published except the outright objectionable. So, genuine complaints and grievances will enjoy air time in social media as they are. And no institutions can afford to ignore what is written in social media. Social media cannot be ignored.

Politically the Govt has come to accept the increasing role of social media and likely to make readings of what were published in social media necessary, particularly the well established websites. Many people are also attracted to the refreshing angles of news and views of social media and making social media a must read daily.

This is what the fourth estate is all about. The old fourth estate in the guise of the main media has been found dead, strangled and buried. The new fourth estate in the form of social media is doing what it should do and expected to do, the conscience of society. It is the real fourth estate that cannot be shut down or gagged. It is fluid, formless and elusive and will slip through any dragnet to emerge stronger, across oceans, and more relevant and more needed by the masses, to represent the interest of the masses against any oppressive regimes.

The role of social media is still in the process of defining itself. And this is only its nascent stage.