Was watching the video of what happened when staff from the MDA turned up at a private function held by the SDP and I must say they were terribly restrained. I really hope they don’t become the target of abuse online.
Anyway, I don’t get it.
The SDP function was basically an exercise of preaching to the choir so why bother disturbing them. Only provided ammunition to put more videos on YouTube. The videos can easily be taken out of context and needlessly embarrass the officials who were just doing their job.
The problem isn’t these officials.
The problem are laws that are selectively used.
Anyway, the video is already on the net for everyone to watch.
Control is going to be hard to maintain. The only way it can happen in the long run is increasingly draconian measures – censoring the net by blocking all sites and only allowing white listed site through. We scoff at the possibility of such a day happening. But it might happen if people in power get desperate enough.
I don’t think the people in power would want that day to come though.
So, they are stuck. They want some element of control but can’t so end up looking like petty bullies and probably don’t want to go to extremes probably out of enlightened self-interest.
There are many ways to get people to say what you want them to say. You can force them not to say anything else. You can force them to say what you want.
OR, you can just give them a better story to tell.
A story that is authentic works.
And you don’t need to get everyone to tell your story. Seriously, you don’t. Just don’t give people a chance to stop telling your story. What happened in the above video makes it harder for certain people to tell the story of a good PAP, government and Minister Mentor.
May I recommend Seth Godin to our officials.
themediaslut | 19-May-08 at 10:24 pm | Permalink
Maybe we have to bring wedding videos to MDA for screening and approval too before it can be shown in a private functions?
How about powerpoint presos?
iantimothy | 20-May-08 at 2:35 am | Permalink
Don’t give THEM ideas please.
Anyway, I don’t support what the officials did. But I understand why they do what they do.
The problem is the little piece of legislation we have and the way it is enforced.
Anyway, don’t be naive. The function was never supposed to be private.
Dailt SG: 20 May 2008 « The Singapore Daily | 20-May-08 at 11:53 am | Permalink
[...] Censorship and Pink Issues – Ian On The Red Dot: The Screening of “One Nation Under Lee” – The Authorities Were Restrained [...]
roderick | 20-May-08 at 11:02 pm | Permalink
Ian, I have to respectfully disagree, if I understand you correctly on your point about the private function.
The function was private in as far as publicity and ticketing went – guests/attendees were required to pay a fee by buying an actual printed ticket, which they had to show to ushers/door staff volunteers. This included a buffet lunch.
“Preaching to the choir”? That may be so. But the choir is growing.
I know, because I was there.
regards.
iantimothy | 21-May-08 at 12:25 am | Permalink
hello roderick. Thanks for sharing a comment. I would want to reply to you, but I feel I better get my definitions of private/public functions nailed down first.
kaypoh | 21-May-08 at 12:51 am | Permalink
they are afraid the people will rise up and judge for themselves.
why fear if there is nothing to fear?
Brutus | 29-Jun-08 at 11:01 am | Permalink
Law selectively used? You make it sound so innocuous. Restrained or not, the law that bans political films is draconian and unjust and people carrying out such laws deserve all our scorn.
And don’t be naive by being so surprised the cops ’selectively’ stopped a film dinner party. It is necessary to harass and strike fear into people so that there won’t be many more such films and dissidents popping up.