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- Dec 30, 2010
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Any government that hopes to plug into a more efficient way of communicating with its people will embrace the online world with all its dynamism and intricacies, not deny it.
Our leadership should not be adverse to this approach. In June 2012, MCI appointed Janadas Devan as its chief communication officer, whose stated role was to “lead the Information Service in enhancing its public communication network across the public sector”. Surely this appointment would have factored in the modern needs of the public service to engage online communities. I’m sure citizens would be eager to hear Mr Janadas’ strategic plan for doing so.
It is hence ludicrous for Mr Cheng to chastise Singaporeans who “turn to the Internet for conspiracy theories and advice instead of listening to and trusting the Government”. Trust is not to be asked for, but demonstrated through building a relationship based on mutual respect. If the government has not bothered to do so all this while, than it cannot blame citizens for having more faith in their own online communities.
Again, I cite Mr Wong: “But communication online is not the same as the traditional broadcast medium. Social media is not a one way broadcast; it is not a monologue. Rather it is about dialogue; it is about participation; it is about engaging in an ongoing and meaningful conversation with stakeholders… It is one thing to have the platform where you clarify facts, but I think it is more important to engage online, to be present to engage, so that any distortions, half-truths and untruths can be corrected quickly, and we can all agree on a certain set of facts to debate from.”
When Minister Yaacob first thought of denigrating online media for spreading “false allegations”, perhaps he has forgotten to take a leaf from his own Senior Minister of State.
- http://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2013/07/government-online-engagement-a-state-of-denial/
Our leadership should not be adverse to this approach. In June 2012, MCI appointed Janadas Devan as its chief communication officer, whose stated role was to “lead the Information Service in enhancing its public communication network across the public sector”. Surely this appointment would have factored in the modern needs of the public service to engage online communities. I’m sure citizens would be eager to hear Mr Janadas’ strategic plan for doing so.
It is hence ludicrous for Mr Cheng to chastise Singaporeans who “turn to the Internet for conspiracy theories and advice instead of listening to and trusting the Government”. Trust is not to be asked for, but demonstrated through building a relationship based on mutual respect. If the government has not bothered to do so all this while, than it cannot blame citizens for having more faith in their own online communities.
Again, I cite Mr Wong: “But communication online is not the same as the traditional broadcast medium. Social media is not a one way broadcast; it is not a monologue. Rather it is about dialogue; it is about participation; it is about engaging in an ongoing and meaningful conversation with stakeholders… It is one thing to have the platform where you clarify facts, but I think it is more important to engage online, to be present to engage, so that any distortions, half-truths and untruths can be corrected quickly, and we can all agree on a certain set of facts to debate from.”
When Minister Yaacob first thought of denigrating online media for spreading “false allegations”, perhaps he has forgotten to take a leaf from his own Senior Minister of State.
- http://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2013/07/government-online-engagement-a-state-of-denial/
