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[h=2]State media pre-set agenda for ‘National Conversation’[/h]Posted by temasektimes on September 12, 2012
It was supposed to be a two-way ‘National Conversation’ to listen to the concerns and aspirations of Singaporeans, but it appears that it is becoming a monologue for the government to impose its world view on the public yet again.
Even before the ‘National Conversation’ was officially convened, the state media is already pre-setting the agenda by subtly influencing and stream-lining public perception to be in sync with the government’s.
Instead of having a frank discussion on important national issues such as the relentless influx of foreigners, the state media is actively propagating the government’s propaganda:
The absence of opposition politicians on the committee spear-heading the ‘National Conversation’ also cast serious doubts on the government’s sincerity in engaging its critics.
In all likelihood, the ‘National Conversation’ is probably another massive PR exercise to show the public that the government is ‘listening’ and to manage public expectations as well as perceptions.
Singaporeans should not expect any real change from the ‘Conversation’, if any as the modus operandi of the current government remains the same.
To borrow a quote from Singapore’s Supreme Leader Lee Kuan Yew in 1987:
“We decide what is RIGHT. Never mind what the people think.”
It was supposed to be a two-way ‘National Conversation’ to listen to the concerns and aspirations of Singaporeans, but it appears that it is becoming a monologue for the government to impose its world view on the public yet again.
Even before the ‘National Conversation’ was officially convened, the state media is already pre-setting the agenda by subtly influencing and stream-lining public perception to be in sync with the government’s.
Instead of having a frank discussion on important national issues such as the relentless influx of foreigners, the state media is actively propagating the government’s propaganda:
The absence of opposition politicians on the committee spear-heading the ‘National Conversation’ also cast serious doubts on the government’s sincerity in engaging its critics.
In all likelihood, the ‘National Conversation’ is probably another massive PR exercise to show the public that the government is ‘listening’ and to manage public expectations as well as perceptions.
Singaporeans should not expect any real change from the ‘Conversation’, if any as the modus operandi of the current government remains the same.
To borrow a quote from Singapore’s Supreme Leader Lee Kuan Yew in 1987:
“We decide what is RIGHT. Never mind what the people think.”
