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2019 | Book

Introduction Read chapter Read first chapter

Malaysian Politics in the New Media Age

Implications on the Political Communication Process

Author: Dr. Pauline Pooi Yin Leong

Publisher: Springer Singapore

Part of: Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" , Springer Professional "Wirtschaft"

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About this book

This book provides a comprehensive overview of the impact of the Internet on Malaysian politics and how it has played a pivotal role in influencing the country’s political climate. It lays out the background of Malaysia’s political history and media environment, and addresses the ramifications of media-isation for the political process, including political public relations, advertising and online campaigns. The book examines the Internet’s transformative role and effect on Malaysian democracy, as well as its consequences for political actors and the citizenry, such as the development of cyber-warfare, and the rise of propaganda or “fake” news in the online domain. It also investigates the interplay between traditional and new media with regard to the evolution of politics in Malaysia, especially as a watchdog on accountability and transparency, and contributes to the current discourse on the climate of Malaysian politics following the rise of new media in the country. This book is particularly timely in the wake of the 2018 Malaysian general election, and will be of interest to students and researchers in communications, politics, new media and cultural studies.

Table of Contents

Frontmatter
Chapter 1. Introduction
Abstract
This introductory chapter sets out the general landscape of the political environment in Asia since the emergence of new communication technology, which has challenged the dominance of traditional media. This development can be clearly seen in Malaysia, where the government, in 1996, introduced the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC), a national information communication technology (ICT) initiative to attract world-class technology companies while grooming local players.
The expansion of digital technology has impacted Malaysian politics, which saw the then incumbent Barisan Nasional (BN) government losing two-thirds control of Parliament and 5 states to the then-opposition in the 2008 12th General Election (GE12). The 2013 13th General Election (GE13) also saw proliferation of new communication technology in political campaigning, but the then BN government maintained its grip on power, despite losing the popular vote. The 2018 14th General Election (GE14) was a watershed moment as Malaysians voted to peacefully oust the BN government, which had been in control since the country’s independence in 1957.
This chapter will outline the evolution of the use of new media in political communication and discuss the effects of media-isation on the political process. It will also look at strategies utilised by political actors to further their online media communications, such as political public relations and advertising, and explore how politics in Malaysia is becoming increasingly professionalised with the reliance on media and other technical professionals in the political process.
Pauline Pooi Yin Leong
Chapter 2. New Media, New Politics
Abstract
This chapter seeks to explore the developing online media environment and its ramifications on the political situation in Malaysia. It also aims to examine the benefits and disadvantages of e-democracy as well as the role of new media in initiating and sparking the growth of grassroots civil society activism. Another consequence of the proliferation of new media in the public sphere is the appearance of propaganda in the form of “fake” or “alternative” news, which has caused confusion among the online audience, who do not have sufficient media literacy to authenticate the information they receive.
Pauline Pooi Yin Leong
Chapter 3. Public Sphere in the Digital Age
Abstract
This chapter will examine the development of political communication in Malaysia’s online public sphere, from the use of e-mail and Usenet groups to blogs and websites and, now, social media. It will also investigate the rise in cyberwarfare and propaganda in the Malaysian online public sphere to influence public opinion among Internet users. This chapter will also track the increase in online abuse – from fake accounts to the use of “bots” as well as abusive or hate speech. Even though the MSC Bill of Guarantees (BoGs) states that there should not be any Internet censorship, the previous BN government had tightened regulations and increased enforcement. The issue of self-regulation in the media fraternity will also be discussed.
Pauline Pooi Yin Leong
Chapter 4. Election Campaigns and New Media in Malaysia
Abstract
The fourth chapter will trace the history and purpose, as well as the role and impact of the Internet on election campaigns. Next, it will outline the background of political campaigns and the use of communication strategies in Malaysian general elections from GE12 in 2008 and GE13 in 2013 to the most recent GE14 in 2018.
Pauline Pooi Yin Leong
Chapter 5. New Media and Political Change
Abstract
The last chapter looks at changes in the political process and environment that has emerged due to the extensive use of new media, which is now entrenched in the Malaysian media scene. It will delve into the issues of the use of new media among Malaysian citizens and scrutinise how new media can be the Fifth Estate, as a watchdog to promote accountability and transparency. Finally, it will also investigate how new media can be utilised by political actors to persuade voters, which is the ultimate aim to gain political power.
Pauline Pooi Yin Leong
Chapter 6. Conclusion
Abstract
This chapter encapsulates the impact of ICTs on political developments in Malaysia. The emergence and use of new media expanded the public sphere in Malaysia for political debate and discourse, enabling minority views to emerge and empowering the then opposition and civil society. However, the then BN government levelled the online playing field by equalising its cyber-presence. Ironically, Malaysia’s political transformation during GE14 was spearheaded by former PM Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed, an old-school politician, who successfully adopted and adapted ICTs in political campaigning in the new media age. ICTs shaped the initial democratic process in Malaysia in the beginning, but ultimately it was the people’s use of technology that gave rise to political reform. It is likely that PR-isation and media-isation will increase in GE15 as politics become image-driven, packaged by spin doctors who are adept at manipulating public opinion.
Pauline Pooi Yin Leong
Metadata
Title
Malaysian Politics in the New Media Age
Author
Dr. Pauline Pooi Yin Leong
Copyright Year
2019
Publisher
Springer Singapore
Electronic ISBN
978-981-13-8783-8
Print ISBN
978-981-13-8782-1
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-8783-8