The last US presidential elections did not just make a decendant of black slaves a master of the most powerful country in the world. It also changed the way campaign was done and has changed expectations for future presidential elections.
Barack Obama was particularly noted for his use of the Internet to rally supporters and make his policies known. Obama’s use of the Internet targeted 18 to 29 years olds, the age group most reliant on new media for political information about the election. The US saw an increase in the participate of the youth in the elections, and, with Obama packaged as the most technology savvy candidate, a big chunk of the young voters voted for Obama.
Through forums and social networking websites like Facebook, Obama built personal relationships in the most impersonal manner. The supporters of Obama themselves formed a nation-wide community. Online communication led to Obama supporters engaging in social activities such as signmaking and door-to-door petitioning for Obama support, as well as simply discussing their opinions about policies and issues they supported along with Obama. His policies are disseminated most effectively. His views were made available to the world via his website.
Our presidential elections is months away. I do not know if our candidates will run a “obama campaign”, but surely, it will be an effective strategy to inform the voters of their platforms, raise funds, and obtain votes.
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3 comments:
Unfortunately, as I have said in my post here a few weeks ago, the web also provides a frontier for demolition jobs and black propaganda. I hope we are mature enough to discern which is which.
It would be good if our politicians actually use the Internet in order to make their policies known. But knowing how Philippine politics works, I bet we will just be receiving e-mails or messages in our web-based social networks of their huge faces in photos doing their signature hand sign or pose with a big smile on their face. :)
In fact, I agree with Robert that it will provide a frontier for demolotion jobs and black propaganda. I even think that there will be more of the latter.
Through forums and social networking websites like Facebook, Obama built personal relationships in the most impersonal manner. >>> a lot of Fil candidates have been using FB as a tool to make known their policies and also to organize their volunteers.
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