The Impact of Social Networking: A Look at the MRT Breakdown

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Recommended: Government censorship causes negative effects

Last month passengers aboard an MRT train in Singapore, between City Hall and Dhoby Ghaut stations, experienced a tragic breakdown that left the city-state in an instant panic. Once the lights went out, the train doors were shut tightly and many people were left huddled together, standing for hours. With service down and so little ventilation, passengers began to have trouble breathing. The MRT train; upon which so many young and old Singaporeans depend, had actually shut down. In this moment of desperation, a passenger reached for the fire extinguisher as a mean to smash open the glass panel of the train door; while other passengers tried to force the doors open in an attempt to get out.

The article sparked my interest, MRT breakdown: Instant tweets, posts play key role printed in “The Straight Times” showed the significant role social media plays in such a scenario. While I cannot begin to imagine what it must have been like to be caught in this situation, I understand the anger the victims feel towards the transportation system and advocate the backlash and buzz that arose seconds after the MRT breakdown. Instant tweets, status updates, and blog posts hit the web as #MRTbreakdown became the new trending topic. Information and rumors about the MRT breakdown were surfacing all over the web before public officials were given the opportunity to speak on the issue. However, within a matter of hours, government intervention demanded management of the social networks to “keep the peace”.

This demand grants the government complete access to the personal lives of individuals; making Singaporeans involuntarily vulnerable. With this mode of censorship the power would be taken away from the people. Governmental involvement within ...

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...o, a level of awareness is raised concerning the rights of other countries compared to their own. The blog will include pictures, newspaper articles, and interviews of locals Singaporeans and their perspective on the topic. This project will not only inform Singaporeans of their situation but also give the students a reason to appreciate what they have in their own countries as well as inform them of the controversy regarding government censorship. Alongside a trip to the Straight Times and interview of Patrick Daniel, editor-in-chief, will be helpful in better understanding the necessity for government to impose great censorship on the citizens of Southeast Asia.

I believe knowledge of the people shall lie within the people. When the government steps in, knowledge becomes suddenly unheard of and with ignorance, the integrity of the people become non-existent.

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