The Dark Shadow Shrine

embrace the darkness; that you may see the light nestled within it......

Sunday, December 15, 2013

Little India Riot -- the related issues.....

A concise account of the issues revolving the recent riot in Little India. Noteworthy is the idea how the media (both online and traditional) can create, perpetuate and cement certain biases. It's only 400 rioters, but we walk away from the media with the impression that it's the entire foreign workers community of 1.1 million! but that's not even 0.04%!!! Likewise, it's only that few Singapore netizens online making those malicious remarks, but outsiders walk away from the media (esp online chatrooms) thinking that the entire Singapore population is xenophobic and does not welcome foreigners. Media has this ability and tendency to MAGNIFY one small portion, making it representative of the whole, giving it the illusion of truth, but in effect, distorting or misrepresenting reality -- whether consciously or unconsciously.

Sample Qn:
Can we ever rely on the media to convey the truth?