SOCIAL MEDIA IS 'BARISAN'S NEW VIRTUAL WORLD ARMY'

news@nst.com.my | 0 comments

Responsibility of media practitioners to correct falsehoods, says Najib

Datuk Seri Najib Razak and local artistes as he browse the BN Youth Music website on an iPad during his visit to the BN Youth Job Fair 2011 exhibition at the Putra World Trade Centre yesterday. - Rosdan wahid

Barisan Nasional-friendly social media practitioners have been recognised as the coalition's new virtual world army to publicise the government's work and counter falsehoods.

BN chairman and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak yesterday called on these pro-BN practitioners, from bloggers to social media practitioners, to go to the ground, armed with their "weapons" like smart phones and laptops to disseminate information to the rakyat on the government's policies and initiatives as well as to counter accusations and slander by the opposition.

"Barisan Nasional recognises all of you as fighters and armies of the BN. You are the armies of the virtual world.

"Go to the ground, use your iPad, BlackBerry (phones), iPhones and laptops -- these are your weapons. Be our advocates, explain what we do. If there are any falsehoods in the social media, it is your responsibility to correct it."

Speaking when opening the 1Malaysia Social Media Convention at the Putra World Trade Centre, Najib, who is also Umno president, said it was important to set the record straight as failure to do so would result in people being confused and manipulated into believing half-truths, slander and lies.

Some 2,000 media practitioners were at the event, aimed at promoting good online ethics, the government's agenda and countering falsehoods.

"If we want to feel the pulse and win the hearts and minds of the people, virtual world and social media are the platforms for us to use to disseminate information to the people as well as for us to evaluate the views of the people on the government."

He added that he himself was very active online and had his own blog, Facebook and Twitter accounts.

"I do this because I want to be close to the people and I want my views to go straight to them."

He also revealed how, during his recent haj, he used his new iPhone 4 to record a Hari Raya Aidiladha message to all Malaysians and e-mailed it back to be broadcast on national television.

Touching on BN's winnable candidates, Najib said those who actively used social media to engage the people would get "bonus marks".

"Those between 21 and 35 years old form the biggest group of voters and those who win this group's hearts will win in the next general election."

He also called on social media practitioners to work as a team and be united to face the "enemy".

Najib said BN had to change if it wanted to remain relevant.

"If, in the past, we were seen as pioneers of change, today we want BN to be seen as fresh and dynamic."

He said there were two types of change -- movement from the ground as seen in the Middle East and North Africa where social media was used as the main communication tool to initiate change, and top down change where leaders changed their approaches to cater to the needs of the people.

"This happens because BN leaders can feel the pulse of the rakyat, who told us they want to see change in the country.

"As such, the top down change was adopted via our various transformation programmes. When it is fully implemented, it will result in big changes."

Earlier, when attending the BN Youth Job Fair grand finale, Najib said BN's branding was still relevant among youths. He said the overwhelming response to the fair, which was initiated in March this year, proved that BN remained relevant.

"BN, as a tested and proven coalition, has shown that it can bring success to the nation."

Malaysia could achieve growth of between five and six per cent this year via systematic government planning, matured policies and effective implementation, he added.

"In the third quarter, we achieved 5.8 per cent growth and God willing, it is possible for us to achieve five to six per cent growth for this year."


Read more: Social media is 'Barisan's new virtual world army' - General - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/local/general/social-media-is-barisan-s-new-virtual-world-army-1.8735#ixzz1fM8vZlET