Government building capabilities to tap on new media at next GE
By Imelda Saad, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 23 February 2009 1826 hrs

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	Related News • Govt says policies on new media will evolve as new challenges crop up

SINGAPORE : The Singapore government is set to actively engage and leverage on the new media at the next General Election due in 2012.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the government is already building up some capabilities. But he added there is still a place for traditional media to be the trusted source of information. Do you agree? Vote here

He was speaking exclusively to Channel NewsAsia's chief editor Debra Soon, on the evolving media landscape, ahead of the channel's 10th anniversary in March.

Citing the US as an example, Mr Lee noted that US President Barrack Obama's team not only put out messages on the Web during his campaign, but also operated on the Web as a means of working together, organising and raising money.

Noting that that is the way the new generation operates, Mr Lee said it is going to happen in politics too.

Already, the Singapore government has announced initiatives to relax rules governing new media.

For example, it is actively trying to engage citizens online through portals such as REACH, the government's feedback arm, as well as new media outlets such as Facebook.

Moving forward, Mr Lee said what is needed are young MPs who are comfortable with the new media landscape.

He said: "We are still learning. It is not easy to make this transition. It is like going from sea to land or vice versa, you are changing your medium and you need to get comfortable with it. But we are working hard at it."

However, Mr Lee noted there will always be a role for traditional media to present trusted, unbiased and informed opinions - even if some may feel that information generated by traditional media is rather tame compared to what is out there online.

He noted that the traditional media has seen an increase in viewership and readership, despite growth of the new media.

Mr Lee said: "Well, there is a place called the Wild West and there are other places which are not so wild. And the new media - some of it are Wild West and anything goes and people can say anything they want, and tomorrow take a completely contrary view. And well, that is just the way the medium is.

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"But even in the Internet, there are places which are more considered, more moderated where people put their names down and identify themselves. And there is a debate which goes on and a give and take, which is not so rambunctious but perhaps more thoughtful. That is another range."

On the role of a news broadcaster like Channel NewsAsia, which is marking its 10th year on-air, Mr Lee said there is a need for a channel which is not wearing what he termed "Western spectacles".

He said: "We felt there was scope for perspective from Asian eyes. Not to put over an ideology or a doctrine, but just present the facts, less the Western spectacles. And I think that is what Channel NewsAsia has tried to do and with some reasonable success."

The challenge, said Mr Lee, is to be able to boil down information and present news neutrally out of Singapore. - CNA/ms

Viewers can catch more of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's interview on Channel NewsAsia at 9.30pm on Tuesday. There will be repeats on Wednesday, February 25 at 12.30pm (SIN/HK/MNL); Thursday, February 26 at 4.30pm (SIN/HK/MNL); and Friday, February 27 at 6.00pm (SIN/HK/MNL).