eDemocracy
The first part I will be extending on is eDemocracy and how the internet plays an important role in informing the public about real life politics. A lot of people agree that a big part of Kevin Rudd winning the election over John Howard was his ability to utilise the internet and connect to a younger populice. He posted his youtube video and it is clear that he has the right voice, manner and presence to speak to his younger audience. When John Howard attempted the same stunt, he was seen as old, outdated and stifling. While Kevin Rudd managed to capture attention, he then proceeded to make his policies known. I can't find these videos on youtube anymore, but I was shown them in a different lecture.
Another politican who makes good use of the internet to connect to the youth population is Anna Bligh. She is a big Twitter user and the internet is a great way for her to communicate the messages she wants. She manages to post links to her followers to provide them with more information about her policies or to defend something she has implemented. Because of this, she is also percieved as accessible and it somewhat humanises her; many politicans can seem distant and unreachable. It is a great PR tool as well.
The Mass Media
I will now reflect on the media as the fourth estate and how the internet can also act as a fourth estate and work to better serve democracy. Government messages are often smokescreened by their public relations officers to put the right spin on something. They freeze out the media or release information right before deadline to avoid print or send them media releases praising the politician and how they are doing wonderful things. It is the media's job to expose government corruption and mistakes to better inform the public. The internet can work by doing the same thing but it is more effective in reaching a mass audience. The internet does not have to serve public owners or advertisers so it can communicate freely to the public. The internet can also work as Habermas' public sphere; a place where people can come together for political or public debate. This can stimulate people and they can persuade or be persuaded. When this occurs, the public as a whole is better informed and democracy is better served. The free flow of information and deformalising of information also helps.
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