Note: The Agenda-setting theory is the theory that "the mass-news media have a large influence on audiences by their choice of what stories to consider newsworthy and how much prominence and space to give them."
Now, I am fully aware that even though the invisible man, namely one Mas Selamat Kastari, has not been caught yet, he is probably old news by now. However, in Singapore, there is still reason and motivation to talk about him.
Knowing that a dangerous man has escaped would definitely be a cause for concern for most who treasure being safe. Other than that, I am not very concerned about Mas Selamat the man, but Mas Selamat the concept.
First, as a citizen and a communications student, the efficient and truthful delivery of information matters to me. The only means by which my want for information can be satisfied is an efficient and truthful answering of questions by the Home Affairs Ministry and the government.
Back when reports of his escape circulated the nation, as an ordinary citizen, I believe I had the right to know all the accounts of ISD personnel on that fateful day, I had the right to see the security footage which serves as proof and substantiation of these accounts, I had the right to know the physical condition of Mas Selamat, a fellow Singaporean, prior to his escape, and I had the right to ask further questions and be entertained.
The withholding of information should not be justified by internal investigation. If a dangerous man has escaped confinement, the following questions should be promptly addressed:
1) When did he escape?
2) How did he escape?
3) What did he wear when he escaped?
And all of the above should be supported with video and photographic evidence. Without that, Singaporeans would speculate because we are not media illiterate dopes. There would be speculation, which would be more than unnecessary:
1) As to whether he is already dead and the whole incident is made up for whatever purpose.
2) News of his escape is aimed towards baiting other supporters and terrorists.
3) This is just a nationwide “firedrill”.
Fyi, I gave up reading the newspapers as early as the third day of his escape because I realised that most of the interviews and opinions gathered are either from central public figures or ordinary Singaporeans.
Conceptually, Mas Selamat still does not exist. His escape did not take place. What we know of him is a constitution of imaginations, which were fed by messages delivered by the media. Do you want press releases and opinions for information, or would you rather have accounts for information?
The state and media constructions of the episode were essential to our understanding of Mas Selamat and his escape. His profile had been created in the wake of an allegedly true incident. He is a short ethnic minority, who limps and is very dangerous – a dark-skinned man who can survive in the woods given his training in Afghanistan.
By “creating” an air of uncertainty, you united the herd of sheep under one central leadership and authority. A unity, whether at the level of the conscious, unconscious, or both, was good enough to deflect attention away from other issues.
The media was also cautious in reporting the incident. It remained that way because it probably did not have the guts for media panics, unless these panics were aimed at those who pose a threat to the norms and values of the establishment.
I wouldn't be surprised if members of the task forces assigned and mobilised to conduct the investigation and search for the wanted man, were instructed to say "no comment" when approached by journalists and leave the answering of questions to trained media experts. And of course, a gag order would have probably been imposed on personnel associated with the incident, investigation and search. Ultimately, another question would be raised: Which is more important, the image and legitimacy of the state authority or the safety of the citizens?
“Mas Selamat” is not real and would continue to be unreal until Singaporeans see the video footages of his escape and hear the truthful and unedited accounts of personnel overseeing his confinement and wellbeing.
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7 comments:
Regarding the MAs selamat issue, i guess there is a more important theory protrayed here. it is the powerful effect theory. When the news was release, everyone was so scare and frighten thinking that it will be cause a danger to us. But have we ever doubt it? Is this really true. i think this should fall under the powerful effect theory.What do you think???
somehow a moment after his disappearance, that thought came to mind also of whether the whole thing was made up, as maybe for a purpose that we do not know of. there are always 2 sides to a coin. perhaps no such person ever existed and this was like a 'test' to see the reaction of the people.
to werdna gnow:
indeed. and in fact, transparency is what is needed to appease and shut up most singaporeans.
at least with photos and videos of mas selamat, we'll know that he exists and was alive at the time of escape. it will also quell conspiracy theories that he's already dead.
to eileen:
thanks for pointing out another possible theory! however, the reason why i chose to use the illustration of Mas Selamat as an example of the Agenda-setting theory is because of the conspiracy of his escape and the constitution of imaginations that followed after, which were fed by messages delivered by the media.
on the other hand, the powerful effect theory in itself suggests that the mass media could influence a very large group of people directly and uniformly by ‘shooting’ or ‘injecting’ them with appropriate messages designed to trigger a desired response. and in this case, it is to create an air of uncertainty and fear.
perhaps we're both right? that both theories may apply to the same circumstances. :)
This Mas Selemat incident has definitely instilled more fear Singaporeans by mentioning that there is this mysterious man out there and he is highly trained and dangerous.
So fearful are we that no one has ever openly questioned the government about the details of the accident.
Would the government create such a mass scale drill or is this really a necessary matter to address?
Fact or Fiction? You decide.
Really, why would the government create country wide panic for nothing? It must be for a reason and this reason is that this armed and dangerous man has escaped and the government merely wanted us to know about it and to keep our eyes peeled.
A probable reason why the goverment did not disclose details of his escape could be due to the fact that they are more then embarassed already as to how he could have possibly escaped and wanted to 'cover' it up.
Though i totally agree that the fear instilled in us has cause us to not even think about doubting whether this could be a hoax or not.
Such is the strength of proper and concise media delivery.
“Back when reports of his escape circulated the nation, as an ordinary citizen, I believe I had the right to know all the accounts of ISD personnel on that fateful day, I had the right to see the security footage which serves as proof and substantiation of these accounts”
In referral to the above statements, you are saying that you, being a common citizen, or someone who plays no significant part Singapore’s safety OR the running of the ISD compound, should be allowed to see footage of what happened. That’s the equivalent of asking for a tour of our nations secret service detention centre.
Sure, everyone has the right the truth; but in security matters, the 1st casualty is always the truth. Secrecy is paramount to continued operations.
However, it is fair to assume that MSK did not actually exist. Here you are actually questioning the ability of the mass media (and our government) to present such an image that a whole nation is captivated. The net logical question would be why?
Why would the Singapore government actually admit that a seasoned terrorist escape and shame themselves internationally? Why not just keep quiet? We got to think about that too.
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