New media is a generic term for many different forms of electronic communication made possible through the use of computer technology. New media includes web sites, blogs, virtual reality environments, etc.
On the other hand there is old media, which is like print newspapers and magazines.

New media is now being integrated into politics. I will be mentioning about certain points to show how new media has made its impact on politics.

Firstly, let us look at how politics in Singapore has also used new media. For example, Foreign Minister George Yeo was the first Cabinet minister to start his own blog. He has written some honest and insightful articles relating to his interactions with foreign ministers.

The PAP’s P65 MPs (the term coined for new MPs born after Independence) have also started their blogs writing about grassroots activities and current issues of Singapore. By doing this, they proved to be a step ahead of the main opposition Worker’s Party, which has not made use of the Net for their party propaganda. Thus, PAP has made a wise decision of using new media as part of their propaganda tool.

Next, let us look into how new media has also benefited politics in other countries. Take the up-coming 2008 presidential elections of the United States. All the candidates are using new media to their advantage, they all have their own ‘ facebook’ account, ‘ myspace’ account and even have their own videos on ‘ youtube’. Through such forms of new media, they try to present themselves to the public as a friend, and let people know more about them. Like telling people about their interests and their favorites. This way they can gain the attention and favor of the public. In a way, new media is a means of propaganda for them.

And I personally feel that it is a very smart choice of these US presidential election candidates to integrate new media to help them gain support and receive votes to be the next US president. As technology and the Internet get more advanced, I think that people should make good use of it. Though traditional media is still vastly used, people should learn to also shift to the use of new media, like how the candidates of the presidential elections are using it.

From these pointers, I think that Singapore would also one day integrate new media into our presidential elections. That way it would make voting much more convenient and easy for tallying. Also, the candidates can make use of new media, to help them gain support from the public.

Using new media as a part of politics is a very useful and good thing. However, we cannot be ignorant to the disadvantages that will come along with it. For example, people can abuse new media and write unpleasant things about politics of a certain country can be quite disastrous. It will not only cause disunity between the government and the people, but also will show to other countries the weakness of the government. This will bring about disgrace to the country.

In conclusion, I would hope that Singapore government would use new media to its fullest extent, for the good of the nation. Bringing the people of Singapore and its government together in cohesion and unity.