Calvin Cheng, the ex NMP, wrote to the ST forum today with the title,
‘Seeking clarifications on line a disturbing trend’. This is one of his
statement referring to Ravi Philemon’s internet comments on the haze and
N95 mask problems, ‘That said, his actions were part of a rather
bewildering and disturbing trend: that of questioning the veracity of
govt statements during a national crisis, and the belief that it is
better to clarify uncertainties over the Internet rather than with govt
agencies.’
Calvin Cheng’s argument is not about questioning the govt but about
using the internet to do so. His assumptions are that the internet is
full of nonsense from unqualified and unreliable people. Only the govt
and the respective official agencies will have the expertise and to tell
the truth. He even asserted, ‘In a crisis, our Govt has never been
known to lie. It is ridiculous to think it would start now.’
Ahem, I am sure all of you reading the above are raring to say your
piece about how ridiculous and flawed his assertions are. All I can say
is that the internet is WYSIWYG, minus the biases of the editor and
whoever that thinks that the right answer should be what they think is
best to be printed. In the internet, everything you see is what the
bloggers want to say, minus those with a hidden agenda which can be
quite easily to fish out. Many bloggers are genuine and simply expressed
what are in their minds, untainted by political considerations and the
need to say the right thing.
The reasons why people are seeking the internet to express their views
speak for themselves, and why they are not going to the main media or
the agencies concerned. Other than not having faith in getting a
reasonable reply, what they sent in may not see daylight and could end
up in the waste bins. The internet is also a very convenient and
efficient means for circulation of information, instant and immediate,
no need to wait for the sun to rise. And it is the platform for everyone
with no one thinking that he is the lord and his views prevails.
Step aside main media. You are history, partly of your own doing, partly
due to the advancement in technology. The internet is now a platform of
choice of the people to air their views and grievances. And there is
nothing bewildering or disturbing about this trend.
9 comments:
"The internet is now a platform of choice of the people to air their views and grievance."
RB
Sure. And maybe just that. And PAP will continue to rule and WP remain the strongest opposition party. Anything more than this?
In Bolehland, the internet is much more powerful. And some bloggers have even become opposition MPs.
Sinkieland?
In Sinkieland, unlike other countries, you cannot expect much from the Internet and bloggers to create change. Especially political change through the vote.
Even though some bloggers like RB write well and are quite talented.
Because you need a strong political party to lead and create the change. And talented bloggers are not necessarily also talented politicians who are also courageous and ready to sacrifice, especially if they are Sinkies.
Talented Sinkies have better things to do, blogging included, than to sacrifice for politics.
"The internet is now a platform of choice of the people to air their views and grievance."
RB
What RB said above will frighten the MIW even more and they will make greater efforts to tame the internet even more.
If internet is full of nonsense then the ministers who used the internet is also full of nonsense? I bet all of them are using the internet.
The miw and its cronies have been bludgeoning social media because the latters views are mainly pro-Singapore and pro-Opposition. However, any blog that is anywhere near the grovelling standard of the compliant msm will be raised on a pedestal and praised to the high heavens.
What I say online is not restricted to complying with what others want me to say, and I am not beholden to whoever butters my bread, and is therefore absolutely my honest opinion. It is not opinion tainted by propaganda, selectivity and apple-polishing.
PAP so fragile meh?
So scared people will read the "wrong" things?
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