Essay on "New Media and Politics"

Essay 4 pages (1314 words) Sources: 4

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Access to internet is limited to rich and wealthy people in this part of the world but this scenario seems to be improving with the passage of time and with more awareness is being created amongst the people who have stood up for their rights (Trent, Friedenberg, Denton, & Jr., 2011). The presidential elections in Ghana mostly revolved around the two major parties and this is where surprising use of new and digital media was seen. Both the parties launched their websites to gain support of the people and to promote their agenda. This mode of communication was also used for the gathering of funds. This election campaign was not only limited to internet but it was also managed and monitored with the help of cell phones. Cell phones were also used for gathering of fund and for casting of votes. The use of digital media in these elections was for the first time in any African country on such extensive scale.

Results of the presidential elections were quite shocking as John Atta Mills who previously has stood up as a presidential candidate and had been defeated two times before won the elections. Apart from this, it was very good to see that both parties accepted the results, which can be rarely seen in politics of developing countries.

New media effects on politics

Digital media or new media can play a very important role in the coordination between the government and the society. These medium of communication can be used to remove evil such as corruption and reducing crime rate in the country. It can help people to hold accountable their leaders who are supposed to seek out their problems in a relatively easier way. Government on the other hand can get regular feedbacks from the public helping them to evaluate themselves and for reaching out areas and helping people where they have not reached yet. This gives sense of empowerment to the public who feels to be the bottom of every political discussion and they feel part of the government in spite of not being their part (Lister, 2009).

Changes in voting pattern

With media playing a very important role in connecting people worldwide and playing a very important part in politics it can be seen that new media has had a positive impact on the voting patterns. With new media creating more awareness amongst people helped the political process by involving those who were previously not involved in elections like the youth which previously had least interest in this process but things gradually changed and with induction of new and digital media people belonging to every age group cast culture and religion understood the importance of casting their votes and choosing the right person to lead them and work for their betterment thus overall boosting and strengthening of democratic process (Howard, 2006).

Role of New Media in Future Politics

It seems that in future politics and election campaigns will be all about the effective and efficient use of digital and new media as it is a very good way of effectively transferring the message to the general public, which has been the case in previous election campaigns. Thus it would be very safe to say that scope of technology and new media is very vital and important in future politics and political parties should try to meet these new standards by reviewing and working on them and playing their part in promoting this process (Trent, Friedenberg, Denton, & Jr., 2011).

References

Axford, B., & Huggins, R. (2000). New Media and Politics. London: SAGE.

Howard, P.N. (2006). New Media Campaigns And The Managed Citizen. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Lister, M. (2009). New Media: A Critical Introduction. Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon; New York, N.Y.: Routledge.

Trent, J.S., Friedenberg, R.V., Denton, R.E., & Jr. (2011). Political Campaign Communication: Principles and Practices.… READ MORE

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