POLLS RAGE ON YOUTUBE
2008 is special for Karnataka’ poll scape. With the assembly election becoming a hotbed for news, views and responses, the internet has become the key political battleground.
Popular video sharing tools like youtube.com are full of such responses videos, with more and more being uploaded everyday.
For example, a video site is dedicated to Sushma Swaraj’s Kannada skill and it states, “Thanks to historical Bellary parliamentary election where Sushma fought against Sonia Gandhi…”.
Another video on Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) evaluates voters on how to use EVMs. This is coupled with an election officer addressing a media conference on the model code of conduct on election rules and regulations. Interestingly, the poll bonanzas offered by various political parties find separate videos. Following the success of populist measures, parties here have decided to announce the same in Karnataka.
For example, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) had promised colour TVs in Tamil Nadu if voted to power while in the neighboring Andhra Pradesh, rice at subsidized price had caught the fascination of voters.
With similar poll bonanza being offered to voters here, one can find many video sites dedicated to poll promises.
Nishchal, a student says, “Vidoe sites are user-friendly. With the younger generation glued to sites. It is better for them to browse and download the videos instead of attending political rallies or meetings”.
However, Anant Narayan, a techie and YouTube freak, says, “In the USA, the YouTube features speeches of candidates and responses. However, theis trend is yet to catch up here. Another missing link is the demand from the voters as to what they expect from the candidates.”
Source: bangalore mirror
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