Noveno Entrada: Internet 'Kaypoh-ism'

The Internet has become a part of our daily lives. Astonishing, considering that the 'Net has barely been available to the consumer for like, 2 decades. It is a powerful tool, empowering every single user and giving them a 'voice' to be heard online.

Internet journalism has worked where traditional media has failed. This is because in citizen journalism, every single person can be a 'reporter' of sorts, being able to cover multiple locations real-time. There are also cases where citzen journalism is able to function where traditional media is barred access to. For example, the 2009 Iran elections protests. In such cases, images and stories come straight from the people who are experiencing the events themselves. Thus, there is a feeling of... How should I describe it... Connectedness? To know that the report comes from a normal person just like us, it just makes the report more convincing, no?

Anyway, one of the more popular platforms for online journalism in local context.

The epitome of Singaporean 'kaypoh-ness'

Stomp allows the average Singaporean to post pictures and news that is 'out of this world'. Hmm, dubious if you ask me. I never really visited Stomp until recently, when another project group was presenting something about it. I found that Stomp was full of nothing but nonsensical news, such as this, this, and this. The main focus Stomp is about poor public transport etiquette, teens *ahem* making out in public, and such. Trivial news.

Which makes me wonder. Is Internet journalism really that useful, or is it only a platform for gossip and complaints? Perhaps Singapore is the only country with a platform for such trivial news. Potential research question for anyone taking ESL408 and reading this! :D