The Role of Social Media in Society During The Movement Control Order in Malaysia

Abstract

Recently, social media has been viewed as one of the preferred platforms among Malaysian society, particularly by politicians who use these platforms as an approach to engage more closely with local communities and to expand their political activities. This study examines five aspects underlying the selection of social media as a universal medium for disseminating information to the public, namely the influence of the internet, the enhancement of political participation, social interaction, information channels, as well as the expression of opinions, ideas, and aspirations.
A qualitative research methodology was employed to obtain research data through interview techniques. The findings reveal that in today’s context, traditional media (print) has become less appealing as a source of information for the public, whereas social media has emerged as a medium for rapidly accessing information. Consequently, social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and others have become key informational tools for politicians in advancing their political agendas.