In the past few years, blogging has come into the limelight as a very efficient method of publishing one's opinions to the world. Previously, though the Internet allowed people to share information throughout the world, publishing was limited to the comparatively few owners of a website.
With the advent of blogging though, now everyone can have a website from which to publish his or her opinions to the world. This new phenomenon has become especially prevalent in Singapore, where people from all walks of life, whether young or old, are making use of this astonishing new technology to share their life, experiences, and views with others.
However, the other not so benign side of blogging has also been evident lately, with many bloggers receiving attention for all the wrong reasons. Whilst the ability for all to be able to publish and mass communicate with the outside world is an exciting new thought, what is dangerously missing from the equation is the responsibility and accountability that the media and other established form of publication holds. This has led to many vulnerabilities for blogging to be abused.
Three examples highlight the different areas in which this new technology is suspectible to abuse. Firstly, the recent case of twenty-five-year-old Nicholas Lim Yew and 27-year-old Benjamin Koh Song Huat, who were both charged under the Sedition act for the first time in 10 years for making racist comments in their blogs. Next, the public uproar, outrage, and outcry ensuing when blogger and ex- RJC student Wee Shu Min's elitist post was publicised. Finally, the Sarong Party Girl, who caused quite a debate about the morals of Singaporeans when she posted nude photos of herself online.
The problems that could result if such incidents continue to occur unchecked are no small issue. For one, racial tensions could be very easily inflamed by a careless remark or an individual with extreme views. A very simple example how one person can single handedly spark a massive response through this is the Prophet Muhammed cartoons, where a single drawing almost sparked racial bloodshed.
Though freedom of expression is an important element in any democratic society, responsibility must be exercised by those empowered with this new ability. To this end, rules put in place to ensure the harmony of Singapore have to be strictly enforced. However, it is inevitable that between the responsibility required and the freedom of blogging, some individuals will choose to abuse this priviledge. As such, the best response to prevent the boon of blogging from backfiring is to ensure that our society is able to coexist harmoniously, regardless of race, language or religion. To a further extent, wealth, education, morals, beliefs, and many other social faultlines will have to be included as well- only then can we get the best out of this powerful new technology.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Unrest in Myanmar
The recent crackdown by Myanmar's military rulers on protesters has sparked an international uproar and drawn much attention to its regional affairs.
Although the protests only began in mid-August, the origins of this issue go way further, back to 1962 when the military seized power in a coup. Ever since, the junta has ruled its country with an iron fist, quashing its opposition firmly, and often, brutally. Myanmar held its last elections in 1990, when Aung San Suu Kyi's National League For Democracy won by a landslide, but was never allowed to govern. Suu Kyi and other prominent leaders of the NLD were placed under arrest.
The recent wave of protests originated from the sporadic demonstrations that broke out in August because of the doubling of price in fuel - a massive economic blow to its citizens, who are already bordering upon Third World poverty.
However, Myanmar's monks, who had previously been supportive of social order for years, became embroiled in the affair when they demanded an apology for their alleged rough treatment by military officials. When they failed to obtain this, they began mass protests, which the public soon joined.
Myanmar's monkhood is a force to be reckoned with within their own country. It numbers about 400 - 500 thousand, about as large as the military. More importantly, they are highly revered in Myanmar's largely Buddhist community, where the monks form the core of society's moral and social values. When they began their protests, speculation was rife over whether the military government would use force to deal with them.
Now, it seems the question has been answered, with at least 13 dead and hundreds arrested.
The repercussions that Myanmar's military government will face though, are by no means light.
Prior to this, the quest for self government and democracy has been underway in Myanmar for years already. Now, joined by the monks and the citizens, some analysts are going as far as to predict the downfall of the junta and its replacement with a democratic government, headed by none other than Suu Kyi - democracy activist, Nobel Peace Prize laureate, and political prisoner.
However, judging from the military's stance, it does seem that between the present state of affairs and that prophesied, there lies much violence, bloodshed, and tragedy.
Unsupported by the very people it governs, condemned by most of the outside world, and facing enemies on all sides, the military government has few avenues to deal with the current situation other than brute force from the police and military.
These means though, have managed to keep it in power for 19 years, through a combination of intimidation, deprivation, suppresion, and a sheer lack of opposition.
The junta's leader, General Than Shwe, made his stand towards any such prospective opposition chillingly clear, when he mentioned in a National Day speech: "Judging from lessons of history, it is certain that powerful countries wishing to impose their influence on our nation will make any attempt in various ways to undermine national unity."
He vowed to "crush, hand-in-hand with the entire people, every danger of internal and external destructive elements obstructing the stability and development of the state."
Ironically enough, his army is crushing the very people they are supposed to protect.
The possible implications that might arise from this are manifold; a successful deposing of the military government might be the catalyst for Myanmar's economic turnaround in the long term. Dubbed "Asia's rice basket", it is no wonder that many countries in the region are eager to prevent unrest within it. Even China, its closest ally by far, urged it "to seek stability in a peaceful manner and work towards democracy and development."
On a larger scale, a democratic Myanmar will join the multitude of nations worldwide in the rise of democracy. This of course will be good for the welfare of its citizens as opposed to its military dictatorship.
In conclusion, the severe state of affairs in Myanmar portends two very contrasting futures for the people of Myanmar - either the democratic rule of the country or the brutal suppresion of opposition in a repeat of the 1989 crushing of the democratic challenge to military government.
This time, though, the odds are quite differently stacked- countries worldwide have rallied behind the people and condemned the military junta, while the widely revered monks have thrown their weight behind the movement as well. As such, between the possible outcomes the former is the more likely of the two to occur.
Although the protests only began in mid-August, the origins of this issue go way further, back to 1962 when the military seized power in a coup. Ever since, the junta has ruled its country with an iron fist, quashing its opposition firmly, and often, brutally. Myanmar held its last elections in 1990, when Aung San Suu Kyi's National League For Democracy won by a landslide, but was never allowed to govern. Suu Kyi and other prominent leaders of the NLD were placed under arrest.
The recent wave of protests originated from the sporadic demonstrations that broke out in August because of the doubling of price in fuel - a massive economic blow to its citizens, who are already bordering upon Third World poverty.
However, Myanmar's monks, who had previously been supportive of social order for years, became embroiled in the affair when they demanded an apology for their alleged rough treatment by military officials. When they failed to obtain this, they began mass protests, which the public soon joined.
Myanmar's monkhood is a force to be reckoned with within their own country. It numbers about 400 - 500 thousand, about as large as the military. More importantly, they are highly revered in Myanmar's largely Buddhist community, where the monks form the core of society's moral and social values. When they began their protests, speculation was rife over whether the military government would use force to deal with them.
Now, it seems the question has been answered, with at least 13 dead and hundreds arrested.
The repercussions that Myanmar's military government will face though, are by no means light.
Prior to this, the quest for self government and democracy has been underway in Myanmar for years already. Now, joined by the monks and the citizens, some analysts are going as far as to predict the downfall of the junta and its replacement with a democratic government, headed by none other than Suu Kyi - democracy activist, Nobel Peace Prize laureate, and political prisoner.
However, judging from the military's stance, it does seem that between the present state of affairs and that prophesied, there lies much violence, bloodshed, and tragedy.
Unsupported by the very people it governs, condemned by most of the outside world, and facing enemies on all sides, the military government has few avenues to deal with the current situation other than brute force from the police and military.
These means though, have managed to keep it in power for 19 years, through a combination of intimidation, deprivation, suppresion, and a sheer lack of opposition.
The junta's leader, General Than Shwe, made his stand towards any such prospective opposition chillingly clear, when he mentioned in a National Day speech: "Judging from lessons of history, it is certain that powerful countries wishing to impose their influence on our nation will make any attempt in various ways to undermine national unity."
He vowed to "crush, hand-in-hand with the entire people, every danger of internal and external destructive elements obstructing the stability and development of the state."
Ironically enough, his army is crushing the very people they are supposed to protect.
The possible implications that might arise from this are manifold; a successful deposing of the military government might be the catalyst for Myanmar's economic turnaround in the long term. Dubbed "Asia's rice basket", it is no wonder that many countries in the region are eager to prevent unrest within it. Even China, its closest ally by far, urged it "to seek stability in a peaceful manner and work towards democracy and development."
On a larger scale, a democratic Myanmar will join the multitude of nations worldwide in the rise of democracy. This of course will be good for the welfare of its citizens as opposed to its military dictatorship.
In conclusion, the severe state of affairs in Myanmar portends two very contrasting futures for the people of Myanmar - either the democratic rule of the country or the brutal suppresion of opposition in a repeat of the 1989 crushing of the democratic challenge to military government.
This time, though, the odds are quite differently stacked- countries worldwide have rallied behind the people and condemned the military junta, while the widely revered monks have thrown their weight behind the movement as well. As such, between the possible outcomes the former is the more likely of the two to occur.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
