Social Media - The Enemy?

Last week President Obama addressed college students discussing the notion that social media is damaging democracy. Obama’s argument states that forms of social media, such as Facebook, blogs, and iPads are a distraction from actively participating in a democracy. Of course there is a sense of irony in this argument as Obama has been widely credited as utilising this form of communication to great effect. Although it cannot be definitively stated that political campaigning via social networking during the 2008 US Presidential elections led to victory, it certainly can be argued that it was one of the larger stepping stones to the Presidency.

Obama’s presence pervaded many of the social networks, from Facebook to the iPhone. The campaign also encouraged people to get involved through these networks. Action could be as small as forwarding on a text message or email received from the campaign. For those more active the networks connected people who could get out there and door knock for Obama. These forums are still active including MyBO (My Barack Obama), which continue to link people to continue participating in their community.

Bearing all this is mind it would certainly appear that social media can facilitate democracy, or at least increase participation in the political process.

In the digital environment we are more connected then ever, and depending on your purpose, whether it to be entertained or informed, I believe that online networking can lead to greater involvement in the political process. It will be very interesting to see how Obama campaigns in the next election. By that time these comments might have conveniently been sidelined!

Beat for Peace

Music has been described as a universal language where anyone can participate. It has the potential to convey emotional messages either through the lyrics, or the music itself. As music has this power it naturally has been used as a tool in various political campaigns and movements. With the internet now a dominant force, it is now even easier to draw an audience to your song.

One of the most recent online political movement to utilise music is Beat for Peace. Beat for Peace’s aim is to draw attention to the referendum that will take place in the Sudan. Through this attention it is hoped that the Sudan will hold a fair and democratic referendum. This referendum, to be held in January 2011 will allow Sudanese citizens to determine whether the southern region will remain part of a united Sudan. The campaign itself has attracted many well-known musicians around the world to participate through drumming. It also encourages anyone to participate, whether you may be drumming on your kitchen pots or bins!

Here is the clip of campaign.

In thinking about this movement the question that comes to my mind is whether music can make a tangible difference on the outcome of an election, or in this case a referendum?

Although this is a hard thing to measure, I don’t believe that songs are a determining factor in the outcome of an election, even if there is a great amount of global input. People are motivated to vote through other factors, such as the candidates, their parties and policies.

If these campaign songs do not translate into votes why bother? Songs can play an important role in drawing attention to the campaign and can prompt voters to find out more about the election. In this sense songs are a very important tool that indirectly lead to votes.

There are many examples that can be referred to but the most recent that comes to mind is Will. i. am’s song ‘Yes We Can’ during the 2008 US Presidential elections. This song was extremely successful in spreading its message and reached millions of Americans and others around the globe through Youtube. My thought is that this song certainly had an impact on the Obama campaign, bringing Obama’s message to the people in a different, perhaps more accessible medium.

Although it is still many months before the referendum in Sudan, it is clear that this political movement, although noble in its aims will probably have minimal effect on the outcome as there are various other determining factors, such as the political climate at the time. However the one thing that is clear, using blogs and Youtube has provided the opportunity to at least spotlight the issue on a global scale, which is valuable indeed.

I couldn't resist some more food for thought! Here are a couple of other well known examples of other political songs that have inspired a change, or action;

It’s Time – Whitlam Federal Election Campaign 1972

Do They Know It’s Christmas - Band Aid 1984