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Social-media users dig for facts, report on political events
Asina Pornwasin
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- There is so much happening in Thailand nowadays, especially in terms of controversially political incidents, that social-media users are engrossed in investigating and discussing them.

Maybe many of them are even taking over as investigative journalists, digging through information related to a particular incident to uncover the true facts.

A case in point is this week's operation by the caretaker government's Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order to reclaim protest areas at Phan Fa Lilat Bridge in Bangkok.

Earlier, the CMPO launched "Operation Valentine" to reclaim areas occupied by protesters.

Images of both operations appeared on social media in minute-by-minute detail, which were closely watched by millions.

Social media also became a platform to debate what had happened as users began hunting for information and photos to support their assumptions.

As information consumers, people should follow suit and check information before they believe it.

Social media provide real-time news reports from everywhere - especially incidents related to political issues.

For example, the image of people withdrawing their money from the Government Savings Bank was huge on social-media sites. Many people displayed their bankbooks once the money had been withdrawn from their accounts.

The coverage not only provided updates but it also went viral and led to copycats.

While the operation to reclaim areas of Phan Fa Lilat Bridge on Tuesday was extensively covered on social media as it happened, some mainstream media, especially free-to-air television stations, did not report on the incident or cover it as breaking news.

Thais living overseas and foreigners are also following the political unrest, especially the CMPO's operations, closely via social media.

Even well-known news providers like CNN, the British Broadcasting Corp, and other international media organisations are doing so.

No one can deny that social media can make controversial political activities more transparent as people find the truth themselves.


-- The Nation 2014-02-22

It is not unusual that people have to use social media to find out what is going on when the government is censoring the media in their authoritarian and dictatorial fashion.

Thank god for social media for giving us an outlet for the truth.

Wow...THE NATION has just found out that people share information using social media!

This could indicate that they are transitioning from the stone age to the bronze age...hopefully

Not just the government spreading their propaganda and bs either in the press look at the Nation.

social media isnt any better for the truth at times either, plenty is made up and sponsored... only way is to sift through as much as possible everywhere and weed out the obvious bs .. which can be hard at times.. twitter and facebook arnt trained reporting platforms they can still be bs ... at least there is freedom there though and its better than paid off or controlled traditional media.

Social media is typically used for like minded people to embolden their position….

" While the operation to reclaim areas of Phan Fa Lilat Bridge on Tuesday was extensively covered on social media as it happened, some mainstream media, especially free-to-air television stations, did not report on the incident or cover it as breaking news. "

And this is why social media is necessary. The country is going through one of its periods of " suggested " media restraint. Many - who are used to their own coverage, be it CNN, BBC, or what have you - are consistently shocked nowadays, as they switch on the television to see what in their own country would be non-stop coverage to discover ...

A Thai drama. They switch the channel. Another Thai drama. On to a news station - the programming has been preempted to bring you an acclaimed National Geographic documentary on beavers you may have unfortunately missed in 1977. Switch the channel again. A game show.

And that is why social media is so important.

Noticable that the PM and CMPO now talk right over the Elites Media here.

Not even worth briefing them anymore.

Next century, the courts will learn that people are watching them and don't like what they see.

Social media can be a effective way to uncover the truth and fact. But there are many people out there who still believe the lies they have been told.

Generally speaking, medias can't be trusted especially in the U.S.