งานชิ้นนี้แปลขึ้นเป็นพิเศษสำหรับ "ใหมฟ้า" อาจารย์ประจำ วิทยาลัยนิติรัฐศาสตร์ มหาวิทยาลัยราชภัฏร้อยเอ็ด เพื่อประกอบการเสนอผลงานทางวิชาการสาขารัฐศาสตร์ ในหัวข้อ การสื่อสารทางการเมืองบนเครือข่ายอินเทอร์เน็ตในช่วงการต่อต้านรัฐบาลทักษิณ
Political Communication on the Internet in the Periods of Mass Demonstrations against the Thaksin Regime
Abstract
Abstract
The purpose of this research has been three-fold. The first is to study styles of political communication and possible factors affecting popular usage of the internet as a means of political communication in the period of mass demonstrations against the Thaksin regime. The second is to study and analyze various political discourses presented on the internet in the period of mass demonstrations against the Thaksin regime. The third is to study and analyze the tendency regarding political communication, employed on the Internet.
The study found that, in the globalization era, the Internet has been playing a major role as a communicative tool highly potential for political involvement, evidently in the case of popular demonstrations against the former government of Thaksin Shinawatra. Civil groups, as well as engaged individuals, who were either for or against the premiere and his cabinet, used the Internet as their tool for communicating politically; for example, on websites, web boards, and blogs (equally known as web logs). During those moments, there were factors that potentially affected how the Internet was used in political communication. Firstly, Thailand’s mainstream media (e.g. television stations, radio broadcast studios and news publishers) were controlled by the government. As a result, the mainstream media had to broadcast what was likely to serve the interests of the government, leaving the unfavorable side omitted, or even unexamined, from publicity, with some on-air information supplied by the government and its supporters. Secondly, the Internet has become a growing trend of popular communication. And, thirdly, the alternative media were expanding with the ability to promote the rights and freedom of the public on the issues of politics. More importantly, besides being convenient, fast, and effective, the Internet is a tool compatible with political communication because it helps enhancing the two-way communication process essential toward democratic governance.
In addition to the Internet being considered a tool of political communication, it was found that the network system is also a special space, where the public are permitted to communicating politically, apart from a gathering on the street or in other strategic places. This aspect is evident in the case of popular demonstrations against the former government of Thaksin Shinawatra. In those moments, the Internet had been used as a medium intended for sharing various forms of information among its users; such as news, political points of view, on web boards which is a part of some websites. Highly diversified in content, the Internet is open for the public, regardless of political stances. Political communication, therefore, flourishes on the web boards, enabling public discourses to progress. There displayed discourses, like “the power over the constitution”, “political premiership”, and “protection of the King” (symbolized with the slogan, “we love the King” and the yellow shirt campaign)
In accordance with an analysis on public utilization of the Internet for political purposes, there is a tendency that the popular network system will still be leading its way in Thailand’s politics, as a sphere of political communication, an arena of public discourses in the new political movements and civil participation, and a strategic realm for government-sponsored services. It is important to note that the public usage of the Internet is growing in terms of quantity and quality. Whether this trend is able to continue, it depends on government policy and its application. To sum up, it is believed, perhaps, that the government’s legitimacy reflexes its proper management of the Internet.
The study found that, in the globalization era, the Internet has been playing a major role as a communicative tool highly potential for political involvement, evidently in the case of popular demonstrations against the former government of Thaksin Shinawatra. Civil groups, as well as engaged individuals, who were either for or against the premiere and his cabinet, used the Internet as their tool for communicating politically; for example, on websites, web boards, and blogs (equally known as web logs). During those moments, there were factors that potentially affected how the Internet was used in political communication. Firstly, Thailand’s mainstream media (e.g. television stations, radio broadcast studios and news publishers) were controlled by the government. As a result, the mainstream media had to broadcast what was likely to serve the interests of the government, leaving the unfavorable side omitted, or even unexamined, from publicity, with some on-air information supplied by the government and its supporters. Secondly, the Internet has become a growing trend of popular communication. And, thirdly, the alternative media were expanding with the ability to promote the rights and freedom of the public on the issues of politics. More importantly, besides being convenient, fast, and effective, the Internet is a tool compatible with political communication because it helps enhancing the two-way communication process essential toward democratic governance.
In addition to the Internet being considered a tool of political communication, it was found that the network system is also a special space, where the public are permitted to communicating politically, apart from a gathering on the street or in other strategic places. This aspect is evident in the case of popular demonstrations against the former government of Thaksin Shinawatra. In those moments, the Internet had been used as a medium intended for sharing various forms of information among its users; such as news, political points of view, on web boards which is a part of some websites. Highly diversified in content, the Internet is open for the public, regardless of political stances. Political communication, therefore, flourishes on the web boards, enabling public discourses to progress. There displayed discourses, like “the power over the constitution”, “political premiership”, and “protection of the King” (symbolized with the slogan, “we love the King” and the yellow shirt campaign)
In accordance with an analysis on public utilization of the Internet for political purposes, there is a tendency that the popular network system will still be leading its way in Thailand’s politics, as a sphere of political communication, an arena of public discourses in the new political movements and civil participation, and a strategic realm for government-sponsored services. It is important to note that the public usage of the Internet is growing in terms of quantity and quality. Whether this trend is able to continue, it depends on government policy and its application. To sum up, it is believed, perhaps, that the government’s legitimacy reflexes its proper management of the Internet.
