Background
Problems and controversies continue to sprout as the Philippines enter uncharted waters in its foray into its first ever automated elections this 2010. The lack of government efforts in educating voters is apparent in a Dec. 4 Pulse Asia survey indicating 61% of the voting population having little or no knowledge at all about the automated election system (AES). Watchdog groups or anyone interested in guarding and ensuring a democratic election face a wall of lack in transparency, from the logistical preparations monopolized by Smartmatic-TIM, up to the transmission of votes on election day itself. Already taking flak for its hasty implementation of the AES and its track record of mercenary transactions, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has done little to alleviate its drought in credibility.
Efforts to empower the Filipino people with information, as well as mobilizing them to lobby for a safer and more transparent implementation of the AES and to go out and protect their votes must be put in place. With the advent of New Media, or information and communication technologies (ICTs) with networking and interactive characteristics, people now have a potential tool that will help in these democratic endeavors.
The global trend of democratization insofar as accessibility to modern technology goes has rapidly grown, which has made the communication of information more and more decentralized from giant outfits. Gone are the days when information and knowledge could only come from legacy media and the academe. New Media, has transformed every receiever of information into content providers themselves.
These ICTs, such as the internet and mobile SMS, continue to enjoy growing penetration rates: according to the 2009 Yahoo-Nielsen Net Index, the overall internet reach in National Urban Philippines increased from 20.8% in the first quarter to 28% by the end of 2008. Mobile penetration rates, meanwhile, have reached 75% of the total population by the end of 2008, according to wireless industry research conglomerate Wireless Federation. New Media’s interactive and networking characteristics also make it easy to be integrated in traditional communication approaches, enabling it to reach even non-users of New Media.
It is under these perspectives that we conclude New Media as an effective multi-purpose tool in pursuing reforms in the electoral experience of the Philippines, particularly in educating voters in the political and technical concerns of the AES, monitoring fraud and documenting problems on election day, and providing technical service for progressive politicians and parties as a means of combatting traditional politics.
