GE not an 'Internet election'

[MarrickG]

The majority of voters in the May 7 General Election (GE) relied largely on mainstream media, such as newspapers and television, for election news.

Even the 30 per cent minority who sought their news from the Internet said they turned to mainstream media for some election information.

The survey, conducted jointly by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) and Nanyang Technological University, found that only three in 10 respondents used mainly Facebook or blogs to get updates on the election.

Even then, more than 95 per cent of the 30 per cent still read and accessed some news from mainstream media.

The survey results were quite unexpected, researchers said, as the GE was touted by political observers to be an "Internet election".

Many also believed that new and alternative media such as Facebook, blogs and political websites like Temasek Review Emeritus had influenced and swayed voters' decisions greatly.

The survey involving 2,000 Singaporeans was conducted two weeks after the election, and took two months to complete. It was part of a national study on the impact of new media on the GE.

IPS senior research fellow Tan Tarn How said that the effect of the Internet was not "decisive" in this election, although it was significant.

"Unlike elections in the Philippines, where the...rallying of people really came through SMSes, the impact of the Internet and new media in our election didn't quite have the same impact," he said yesterday on the sidelines of a presentation held at Orchard Hotel.

He was one of three researchers involved in the survey.

The survey also found that the 30 per cent of respondents who looked to the Internet for news - initially thought to be a "lunatic fringe", or those who hold extreme political views - were found to be less politically cynical and more politically savvy.

Those in this group were also described as "persuadable consumers", as they were more influenced in the way they voted by content in all media as compared to the other 70 per cent.

IPS deputy director Arun Mahizhnan explained that these people might have realised - after engaging in discussions over time - that politicians here have met most of their expectations.

"If you compare public goods offered by the Government with those of any other country in the neighbourhood, and even with most of Asia - with the possible exception of Japan - it has been absolutely first class," he said.

First-time voter Jennifer Ho, who lives in Aljunied GRC, said that she relied heavily on new media in deciding between the Workers' Party and People's Action Party, which contested there.

The 23-year-old student said: "The influence of these online channels was definitely bigger, because I spend more time on them. Television and newspaper provided me only with additional facts."

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[saratogas]

I heard that Garment spent alot of $$$ on E-voting implementation but eventually the plan is shelved... So who paid the bills?

 

[BuiKia]

People like you and me and everyone else? Taxpayers loh.

I heard that Garment spent alot of $$$ on E-voting implementation but eventually the plan is shelved... So who paid the bills?

 

[streetsmart73]

hi there


1. aiyoh!
2. sheep are still in denial leh!
3. the funny thing is how accurate is that "survey"?
4. what was the sampling size?

 

[Sideswipe]

3. the funny thing is how accurate is that "survey"?
4. what was the sampling size?

1. sampling size was 2000.
2. 2 in 5 refuse to reveal who they voted for.
3. I doubt the survey accuracy too.

 

[po2wq]

... "If you compare public goods offered by the Government with those of any other country in the neighbourhood, and even with most of Asia ... it has been absolutely first class," he said ...

ya, man! ...

n it cums wif world crass, world bestest, world lumpar 1 prices as wel! ...

 

[streetsmart73]

1. sampling size was 2000.
2. 2 in 5 refuse to reveal who they voted for.
3. I doubt the survey accuracy too.

hi there


1. hahaha!
2. bro, this is how elite sheep work.
3. and this how daft sheep accept mah!

 

[Maximilian Chua-Heng]

With the votes split at 60-40, yes it's not yet an 'internet election.' Next one perhaps?

 

[vamjok]

the more inaccurate it is, the better.

give them the false idea.....WHEN THE TIMES COME....they die also dunno why

 

[BuiKia]

It is safe to conclude that the 2 out of 5 who refused to reveal voted for Opposition.

1. sampling size was 2000.
2. 2 in 5 refuse to reveal who they voted for.
3. I doubt the survey accuracy too.

 

[Cruxx]

Their vote share has been falling steadily for the past few decades. Give it 15 more years and chances are that we would see a new party come into power.

 

[po2wq]

With the votes split at 60-40, yes it's not yet an 'internet election.' Next one perhaps?

ya, hor! ...

if internet erection, dat ah tony wud oso haf been crushed by ah say ...

 

[Fook Seng]

The survey is correct. Most of the hardcore pro-PAP and hardcore opposition voted irrespective of any media. Since everyone has MSM, they are counted as MSM. The swing votes are swung because of new media. The numbers seem about right.

 

[KuanTi01]

Fancy mainstream establishment figures conducting the survey! Is it reliable and independent? I dare say the average Ah Seng in the street and the average John in the office think otherwise. New media reigns supreme! PAP is in self-denial and damage control mode.The survey results are unreliable.

 

[Cruxx]

The word "hardcore" implies that these sheep were impassioned in their political pursuits. The truth is that they simply bo chap. They are not hardcore pap supporters. More like apathetic sheep whose only loyalty is towards the convenience of voting for the only/default party they know rather than toward PAP per se.

 

[Conqueror]

Someone Is Trying To Discourage You To Vote

It was trying to say ... Do not try to resist the evil force. It's futile. It's better that you fall in line with Darth Vader's will. Your will is weak. You cannot resist the dark forces. Don't resist.