dear friends
Yesterday, we were discussing about the use of social media by Obama. Today, I find from the media that BJP is launching the cyberspace campaign and they have launched the site www.lkadvani. in. Though it is yet to be known, how they are going to use this, i find from the reports that they will be extensively using podcasts.
They have also introduced a 'Forum' to enable the netizens to post their views. I have not found any announcement about their using other social networking sites like facebook, linkedin, orkut, blogs, myspace, twirtter, etc. Probably, they may add one by one.
Interesting days are ahead. I hope, the other major political parties like congress and BSP will also join the cyber space.
After seeing my mail, yeterday, one of the senior media friends asked me whether it would be effective in India, when more than 70 percent of the population are in the rural areas. My observations are:
1. In the coming General Elections nealry 120 million youngsters are joining as new voters. In a multicornered contest, even a marginal swing may upset the fate of political parties. If the educated middle class youngsters come out for voting, it may disturb the calculations of the parties.
2. Most of the educated youth from urban and rural are increasingly becoming netsavvy.
3. More than 300 million mobiles are in use and 65 million people use net.
4. Using social media has a viral effect. Many young journalists are highly netsavvy. They carry the information from the cyber space to the traditonal media like print and broadcast. I find many of the language media journalists / editors are also watching the cyber space closely.
In my personal view, definitely, using social media will have a significant impact in the coming elections. We are in the learning process. It is going to be a great supplementary tool. Let us watch the interesting developments.
I look forward to your sharing your views.
srinivasan
Moderator
No comments:
Post a Comment