Government Adopts and Controls Social Media?

Social media is today’s communication channel. Not only businesses, governments are also adopting social media to engage the public.

Let’s put our focus on Singapore.

Besides politicians and government agencies that have their own Facebook and Twitter accounts, Singapore government-based websites are also integrated with social elements. For example, NS Connect, a website where National Service men connect online, has a forum for open discussions. It shows how open the government is toward freedom of speech on the Internet. Hmm… maybe not…

According to ZDNet, Ng See Sing, general manager of NCS Portal City, which manages social networks such as NS Connect, noted that while user-generated information and feedback are regularly pumped into these portals, such content is typically contained within the site and cannot be shared or disseminated outside the portal.

Obviously, content is controlled within a boundary. We’re not even sure if people are able to voice their concerns freely. A quick scan on the topics discussed within the forum seems to suggest that people are pretty happy with National Service. Does that reflect the truth? As a local, the views shared are way too optimistic to be trusted.

If you were to google ‘national service Singapore sucks’, you’ll see plenty of interesting results. People are voicing their unhappiness through other digital channels. Does the government address that? Probably not. It seems to me that the NS Connect portal is used to congregate positive remarks and healthy conversations, painting an overly positive picture about National Service.

National Service is important for a small nation like Singapore and I learnt a lot in my two years of service (sincere statement). However, there are many things that can be improved.

I’m happy to see Singapore adopting social media as a communication platform. But is the government ready and sincere to listen?

You be the judge.