The Politics of social media

The anonymity that people posting on Internet sites like You-tube have, allows them to post things that they would never say to the persons face or even post under their true name. This fact poses problems for Political figures contributing videos to websites such as You tube.

Political figures in the western world have always been the subject of satire of parody from cartoons distributed in newspapers and more recently videos posted on the Internet. The ability to ridicule a public figure without the fear of punishment is a civil liberty we often take for granted in the western world, although some may argue that defamation laws may impede our free speech to an extent, we have much more freedom then many nations even today. Mass media in the form of newspapers and television have allowed for higher levels of questioning of public figures actions as-well as ridicule. The Internet however has allowed for more people to have their say on public figures including politicians, and have their views reach a huge audience with just an Internet connection. The main gain is therefore for the average person, as the power of freedom of speech has been given to them in a way that had never been before possible.

People that generate the most ridicule should not be in a position of power, yet throughout history they have been. Some of the most incompetent, idiotic and corrupt leaders are also the ones who do not take kindly to ridicule of themselves. Leaders who have a cult of personality surrounding them such as Hitler and more recently Kim Jong-Il would have their work undone by people be able to subject them to ridicule and parody. However the western leaders that are held in greater esteem (voluntarily) do not completely open the gates for themselves to be ridiculed. The President of the U.S.A., Barack Obama, is notably “techno savy”. He has a You-tube page which he is committed to updating with videos discussing policy and other matters. I was surprised to find out that his also allows for comments on his You-tube videos which I have noticed other leaders do not. Kevin Rudd's pre-pri-ministerial videos did not allow users to post comments (At the time of writing this blog I could not find the videos in question, information is from memory). This means that people could no directly question what he was saying, by starting up a discussion with other You-tube members. This have may an effort to limit spam and offensive material however.

I think political leaders who use social media like You-tube should be commended, but they should be able to take the inevitable criticism that people will post on their videos. Wether it is successful or not depends on the popularity and credibility of the leader. I am fairly certain that for Kim Jong-Il he does not have the credibility. And I am proud to say this under my true name, John Smith.

http://www.youtube.com/user/barackobamadotcom?blend=1&ob=4

(Barack Obama's You-Tube channel)