(Person) Percentage - Sabanci University Research Database

The Asian Conference on Media & Mass Communication Osaka, Japan
For now, the Internet remains the last outlet for publication of commentaries, opinions,
and thoughts that are deemed too sensitive and controversial for the conventional media (Lim,
2007). And in long run, the internet may democratise the public sphere and lead to
strengthened political interest and participation among citizens (Dahlgren, 2005; Sarcinelli,
1997, as cited in Gerhards & Schafer, 2010). A virtual space enhances discussion; a virtual
sphere enhances democracy as Habermas saw the public sphere of rational public debate.
Ultimately, informed and logical discussion, Habermas argued, could lead to public
agreement and decision making, thus representing the best of democratic tradition (Habermas,
1962,1989,1991 as cited in Papacharissi, 2002).
Somehow, access to the internet does not guarantee increased political activity or
enlightened political discourse, and connectivity does not ensure a more representative and
robust public sphere (Gerhards & Schafer, 2010). Jankowski and Van Selm (2000) also
expressed reservations that online discussion, much like real life ones, seemed to be
dominated by elites and who were unable to influence public policy formation. It provides
public space, but does not constitute a public sphere.
Youth, Media and Politics
Young people are often seen as a key indicator group of the new social phenomena. They
seem to display higher levels of cynicism, apathy and disengagement with the formal political
process. Some studies suggest that young people are less engaged with political process.
Being early users of the new media technologies, their usage of media in relation to politics
has attracted interest among scholars (Huggins, 2001). The Young people lack of
participation in politics has often been associated with limited reading of the news. With less
time being spent on reading of news, they seem to be less knowledgeable in politics (Calenda
and Meijer, 2007).
In Malaysia, a survey by the Federation of Peninsular Malay Students shows that 70%
of undergraduates were found to be disinterested in politics with 10% being pro-government
and 20% choosing to be open. Political observer Dr Sivamurugan Pandian of University
Sains Malaysia notes that with the availability of advanced information technology and the
emergence of the new media, the young generation no longer access information from the
conventional media but are churning out information and forming their own opinion
(MalaysianMirror, 16 March 2012). Commenting on young voters and how they would vote
in the 13th General Election, University of Malaya associate professor Dr. Abu Hassan
Hasbullah said, “They no longer have a classic belief in politics.” Another political analyst
Ong Kian Ming indicated that overall, between 25 and 30 percent of Malaysian voters are
expected to be below 35 years old by the next general election. And in total, this is about six
million potential voters who are most likely, to be opinionated, internet savvy and idealistic
(Malaysiandigest.com, 27 June 2010).
Malaysian Media and Politics
For some, the Malaysian press emphasises national unity and development and practicing
editorial self-censorship. Ethnic diversity and economic disparity are sensitive issues and to
preserve order and stability, the government has defined the role of the press as promoting
nationalism and development (Yin, 2009). Azizah (2008) notes that the role of the Malaysian
media in shaping public opinions and perception about political, economic and social issues
has “long been the subject of study, speculation, accusations and debate.” Statistics show that
Malaysia currently has 15,868,000 Internet subscribers. It is also interesting to note that in a
decade, the number of registered voters increased by 50%, while Internet subscribers
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