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Central Government, Policy

Singapore to engage new media at general elections

By Robin Hicks | 24 February 2009

Singapore’s government has signalled its intention to embrace new media at the next general election.

More programmes are planned to engage citizens online through social networking channel Facebook and the citizen feedback arm, Reach.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong pointed at US President Barack Obama as an example of a team that used online not only for campaigning, but to collaborate, organise and raise funds.

“We’re still learning. It’s not easy to make this transition [to new media]. It’s like going from sea to land or vice versa, you’re changing your medium and you need to get comfortable with it. But we’re working hard at it.”

Mr Lee noted that there will always be a role for traditional media “to present trusted, unbiased and informed opinions, even if some may feel that the information generated by traditional media is rather tame compared to what’s online.”

Singapore’s general elections are scheduled to take place before 2012.

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