Analyzing Political Communication in the Digital Age

This assignment requires a comprehensive analysis of political communication in the digital age. Drawing from a diverse range of sources including Bennett & Segerberg's 'The Logic of Connective Action', Esser & Strömbäck's edited volume on the 'Mediatization of Politics', and Wolfsfeld et al.'s study on social media and the Arab Spring, students will examine how digital media has transformed contentious politics, agenda setting, and political participation. Additionally, students are expected to analyze specific case studies such as the Edward Snowden affair and the role of Chinese identity in post-Suharto Indonesia. The assignment aims to evaluate students' understanding of the complex interplay between politics, media, and technology in contemporary societies.

POLITICS
AND
MEDIA

Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK A...........................................................................................................................................3
Interconnection in between politics and media in Malaysia........................................................3
TASK B...........................................................................................................................................5
Hegemony of government of Malaysia over Media....................................................................5
TASK C...........................................................................................................................................7
Impact of Development of media technologies...........................................................................7
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................8
Best technique to convey political messages?.............................................................................8
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10

INTRODUCTION
In this present world, media is considered as the most powerful thing, which has a
potential to affect working and operations of a country. There is great relationship in between
media and politics, where both of them effect and have an impact on each other. In other words,
there is a special relation in between a political system in a country and media (Bennett, 2012).
So, considering this, in this present report, effective relationship in between Malaysian political
system and media is going to be demonstrated. Also, to what extent developments have been
occurred in new media technologies, will be elaborated. In addition to this, there are many
possible ways to render opportunities for local and common people of Malaysia to convey their
messages in regard to politics.
TASK A
Interconnection in between politics and media in Malaysia
Media is a strong basis which is related with to store and convey communicate messages
and information from one place to another place in aspect of different things. It can be said to be
concomitant with mass media, communication, print media and other broadcasting and
publishing. In words of Bennett and Segerberg, (2012), media can be deliberated as a medium or
channels through which general information is transmitted in society in regard to events occurred
in each and every aspect in country. In this direction, it can also be said that it has a remarkable
effect on political system in Malaysia. There is a great revolution in telecommunication, which
had created innovation and enhancement in transfer and transmission of information and data for
long distance. The media of Malaysia is consisting of two approaches. It can be featured as
Authoritarian and democratic (Malaysia, 2017).

Figure 1Media and politics
(Source: Steven Johnson, 2015)
In accordance with the view point of Boydstun, (2013), Politics is a procedure of decision
formation and also a battle for achievement of success and access to a position, to take decisions
in betterment of people and society as a whole. It is a notable fact that in a view point to receive
and maintain political power, an effective hegemony has to be created and developed, so that
public support and accepts the decisions formed. Moreover, education system and media is a
technique which helps to figure out consent support and legitimacy for interests of group
In this light, in context of Malaysia, Cohen and Kahne (2011), said that there is a great
impact of media on societal aspects of a country. It has made internet to be the most effective
and utilised tools and technique. in addition to this, Malaysia is a large consumer-driven society,
so, electronic media as well as print media plays an important role in distribution of
advertisement.
Considering this, there is also a significant relationship in between Malaysian politics and
media. It can be noted that in order to attain and retain powers in terms of politics, politicians use
media and its channels with an objective to convince its audience to vote and elect them,
meanwhile in period of elections. Government namely Barisan Nasional has a track record to
maintain and sustain its government for the longest period of time that is 57 years, just because
of effective and efficient use of social media and print media as well. In this aspect, New media
in Malaysia, impact on politics can be assessed in three aspects, i.e., information, building of

identity and mobilisation. It can be assessed that role of media can be determined in terms of
rendering political forum for its residents to elect their political representatives. Furthermore,
through an effective implementation of media in a political system of Malaysia, public tends to
have a great and considerable direct access to any information related to politics etc. Also, it can
be said that there is a great impact on political system as it enables the local residents of
Malaysia to know and be aware of information related to political stability of Malaysia. in
addition to this, Media is also held responsible for the overall development of government and
political system of Malaysia. it can be considered that media is vital for democratic society.
Furthermore, in words of, Esser and Strömbäck (2014), It has been evaluated that media
has an impact on political system of Malaysia as it has a potential to challenge monopoly of state
hegemony of governance and politics. Also, through effective analysis and implementation of
media, it can be said that politicians of Malaysia are required to be more interactive and
responsible and accountable towards its society and its people. In this light, it can also be argued
that for application of strategies framed by political leaders, it is necessary to transmit and
transfer to public through social media. Also, through an operative assessment, it has been found
that Malaysian press has also enable government to form various laws and legislations which are
formed to protect and safeguard law and order in country. Also, to accept the hegemony of
political leaders and parties, media has contributed its role for containing dissent.
In crux, it has been evaluated, in opinion of, Gurnow (2014), that emergence of media
has led to complexity in procedure of politics in Malaysia. it is due to reason that politicians’
attempts to handle issues of new media which the government of Malaysia is struggling to
control. However, on other side, evolvement of media does not assure huge democratic freedom,
in present time period.
Advent of media can be considered as another political tool which can reform procedure
to maintain existing regime.
TASK B
Hegemony of government of Malaysia over Media
Media is a powerful concept which is accountable for reshaping and restructuring of
opinion, behaviour and any notion. In accordance with the view point of Hands (2011), Media
has its contribution to overall development of political system of Malaysia. Also, Malaysian

media serves as a medium which has an open connection with government. It is due to reason
that it acts as a disseminator of information to public. In this light, it can be said that, Malaysian
media is owned by its government, which also serve as a link between public and administration.
In addition to this, the media in form of news mass media is best possible way or method to
effect communication among people and government of Malaysia. Political leaders or
government of cited country tends to form an opinion that they have a hegemony over media,
says, Hoon (2011). In addition to this, it is rendered necessary that government of Malaysia is
authorised to control media of the country with the aim of assuring that media does not side-track
and negotiate development of a country as a whole. this signifies that politicians and government
is allotting responsibility to media for purpose to make sure that no news should be published
against plans of government, in order to preserve social order. Also, they aim to implement
development plans of government for residents of People.
On the other hand, it can be assessed that, the image of media in Malaysia is not so good
and it’s still a reason for concern. In accordance with a report, it can be said that Government of
Malaysia has exercised a control over media and news content. In addition to this, the
government of Malaysia has also formed an opinion that punishment should be strengthen for
those people who are found as guilty for leaking secret and confidential information. While
looking in past, it has also been found that during war with Japan in January 1941, many
newspaper and other communications of channels were banned and suspended. Also,
government of Barison Nasional is longest survived administration in Malaysia as it has utilised
media of country in an effective way. There is a term which is evolved in this aspect, is known as
Media Extremist.
In accordance with the view point of In't Veld (2010), There are various laws and
legislations which are framed in a view point to strengthen and maintain hegemony in terms of
political aspects. These can be classified as:
 Internal Security Act, 1960.
 Official secrets act, 1972.
 Printing and Publications act, 1948.
These laws and legislations should be prepared in respect of sustaining their political
hegemony. In this light, it has also been assessed that one of the effective key of BN’s hegemony
in political system was connected with power of media. so, after taking consideration this,

ownership and activities of mass media had been provided major attention by government of
Malaysia.
TASK C
Impact of Development of media technologies
With the passage of time, there are significant changes which are evolved in media.
nowadays, media audiences are shifting towards developing new aspects in media. also
journalism is going through a definite process of change in environment. These variations are
occurring due to effective global information and ever-present news.
New media
The dynamic and fluid characteristics of media and its constituents are proof that media
has developed since earlier times. New media can be well-defined with the help of its
technology, entertainment, services and other aspects. It creates its influence on government and
other contexts of Malaysia as well (Lawrence and Rose, 2010). With the introduction of new
technology, it can be seen that internet is considered as a most viral part of media. also,
development and deployment of more effectiveness in Media. In addition to this, traditional
media can be considered as a source of for government authorities to sustain its interests and ban
several practices. Nonetheless, this power has been challenged by evolution of new media.
politicians are of opinion that use of traditional media is not worth it in this dynamic
environment. Also, since year 2008 general election, people seem to be more advanced and
highly technology savvy. It can also be considered that liberalisation in media has also impact
politics.
Furthermore, there are several changes and variations in traditional mass media, which
has resulted in direct interaction of political leaders with general public. People are now
boycotting old media for advanced technologies, for an aim of communication and deliberating
online with government and social movements. Also, it has created a positive change in political
leaders of Malaysia as they quickly response to issues and problems of local residents of cited
country.
In accordance with a study conducted, it has been assessed that internet has a full
potential to restore some political powers to local residents of Malaysia, who can be recognised
as a part of politics (Loader and Mercea, 2011). Also, new and advanced technologies have also

resulted in for building or enhancing awareness and publicity in aspect of reformation, reversing
and modifying crucial policies.
Also, in terms of globalisation, development of mass media is also considered as a
remarkable change as it facilitates exchange of culture and multiple drifts of data and
information in between countries through international broad casts technologies films and music.
In this present time era, it can be said that digital communication has been compacted by
minimisation of space. Also, in this direction it can also be said that accessibility of digital media
to different people of Malaysia is possible only through an effective analysis and implementation
of variations in technologies of media. in addition to this, deviations in mass media and its
technologies has resulted a positive and effective change in standard of living of people in
Malaysia. it can be recognised in terms of hybridization and digitalisation (Philo ,2014). Also, to
give effect to operative and efficient international electronic exchange, culture also plays an
important role. However, it can only be possible with the help of new media.
In this light, changes or deviations in media can also be held responsible to create its
impact on society of cited country. It can be termed as a technique and tool for social change in
perspective of a country. So, considering above facts, it can be said that there is a huge impact of
development of social media in Malaysia.
TASK 4
Best technique to convey political messages?
It is a notable fact that in case of changes in political, social and economic environment
of a country, issues and societal problems are likely to be arise. So, people and local residents of
Malaysia should be effectively involved in issues resolving process, so that there can be effective
and smooth operations enabled in a country (Shome, 2012). In this light, it is the duty of
politicians and government leaders to involve people who are suffering going through several
issues related to communal and societal aspects. So, considering this, there are two best methods
by which people can be evolved in resolving their issues. It involves that, at a first stage, political
leaders should listen to citizens of their country by understanding their issues and causes to the
problems. In addition to this, attention should also be paid to barriers which are held responsible
in prevention of management of problems.

Secondly, there should be several programs and other seminars should be conducted so
that proper involvement of people can be attained in respect of empowering them to handle and
tackling with issues which they confront.
Beside this, there are several methods, by which people can be involved and also they can
convey their messages to government administration and political leaders, to get their issues and
conflicts resolved. Among various methods and techniques, the best possible way by which local
residents of Malaysia are in a situation to convey their messages and information to government,
is Social media and news (Waisbord, 2010). It is a medium through which people from different
areas can connect with each other. Social media can be turned up as an active medium by which
people can express their views and other information which they are desirous of. In this light, it
can be held that there are several campaigns, which are conducted and operated on social media
so that they can be able to know what public actually wants.
Also there are several other methods by which people from different sections can be
involved, for purpose of resolving of their issues. These approaches can be featured as:
 To get them included in process of planning.
 To donate money.
 By attending public events like rallies and other community hearings.
However, for an objective of conveying their political messages to politicians and
administration, social media can be considered as a best possible method to convey their
message (Wolfsfeld, Segev and Sheafer 2013). It consists of diversified range of networking
area, which enable them to convey their opinions and messages.
CONCLUSION
From above mentioned report, there is a relationship in between politics and media. this
report has been framed in context of Malaysia and its political influence. In this aspect,
connection between politics and media has been given effect. In addition to this, there are some
new media technologies which has a significant impact on autonomy of media. In this light,
Social media act as a best possible method to transmit messages of people through effective use
of social media.

REFERENCES
Books and Journal
Bennett, W. L. (2012). The personalization of politics: Political identity, social media, and
changing patterns of participation. The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political
and Social Science, 644(1), 20-39.
Bennett, W. L., & Segerberg, A. (2012). The logic of connective action: Digital media and the
personalization of contentious politics. Information, Communication & Society, 15(5),
739-768.
Boydstun, A. E. (2013). Making the news: Politics, the media, and agenda setting. University of
Chicago Press.
Cohen, C. J., & Kahne, J. (2011). Participatory politics. New media and youth political action.
Esser, F., & Strömbäck, J. (Eds.). (2014). Mediatization of politics: Understanding the
transformation of Western democracies. Springer.
Gurnow, M. (2014). The Edward Snowden affair: Exposing the politics and media behind the
NSA scandal. Blue River Press.
Hands, J. (2011). @ is for activism: Dissent, resistance and rebellion in a digital culture. Pluto
Press.
Hoon, C. Y. (2011). Chinese identity in post-Suharto Indonesia: Culture, politics and media.
Apollo Books.
In't Veld, R. J. (2010). Knowledge democracy: Consequences for science, politics, and media.
Springer.
Lawrence, R. G., & Rose, M. (2010). Hillary Clinton's race for the White House: Gender politics
and the media on the campaign trail. Boulder, CO: Lynne Rienner Publishers.
Loader, B. D., & Mercea, D. (2011). Networking democracy? Social media innovations and
participatory politics. Information, Communication & Society, 14(6), 757-769.
Philo, G. (2014). The Glasgow media group reader, Vol. II: Industry, economy, war and politics.
Routledge.
Shome, R. (2012). Asian modernities: Culture, politics and media. Global Media and
Communication, 8(3), 199-214.
Waisbord, S. (2010). The pragmatic politics of media reform: Media movements and coalition-
building in Latin America. Global Media and Communication, 6(2), 133-153.
Wolfsfeld, G., Segev, E., & Sheafer, T. (2013). Social media and the Arab Spring: Politics comes
first. The International Journal of Press/Politics, 18(2), 115-137.
Online
Malaysia, 2017. [Online] Available through: <
http://www.pressreference.com/Ky-Ma/Malaysia.html>. [Accessed on 18th July, 2017].

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