How the Internet Currently Impacting the Relationship Between Media and Institutions of Power

The Internet and other developing information and communication technologies are rapidly progressing in the modern world, with the promise to bring about structural changes and reformation in many societies. As a constantly evolving global tool, the Internet provides varying socioeconomic communities with access to information, and enables the distribution of knowledge unlike history has ever before seen. Similarly, the developing use of information and communication technologies, such as internet-enabled mobile phones with multimedia accessories, personal computers, E-mail, blogging, online forums and video conferencing technology work to increase the rate at which information can be accessed and shared. This ease of access creates hope for improving democratic free speech in Southeast Asia, internally and internationally. However, issues with economic development and politics restrict the accessibility of the Internet and other ICT forms. In modern society, the media and journalists are able to harness the power of the Internet and communication technologies to better gather and disseminate knowledge. However developing countries, particularly in Southeast Asia, have proved contradictory to this pattern, given that ICT forms are sometimes difficult to obtain or access. With an estimate of over 300 million Internet users worldwide, it is clear that the Internet and ICT are certainly major areas, which many institutions of power to will need to consider for the future (Miniwatts Marketing Group, 2015). In the Southeast Asian context, the globalisation of information creates issues in regards to national values. Countries with strict authoritarian regimes such as Burma have historically limited freedom and distribution of information in order to limit potential disruption of society through media control over certain institutions of power. Similarly, established countries such as Malaysia restrict the publication of certain news and events with the potential to threaten national unity and security, at the discretion of the government. This results in considerable censorship and uncertainty for journalists in the Southeast Asian nation. Through examination of the prevalence of alternative media and the use of ICT in Malaysia, it is clear that the Internet and newer information and communication technologies play a large part in undermining authoritarian power in the these countries. Using Burma and Malaysia as examples, this essay intends to explain the impact of ICT and the Internet on Southeast Asian institutions of power, with consideration to the historic level of authority given to the media and expected outcomes for the future.

Currently, with the introduction of the Telecommunications Act, the previously technologically isolated Burma, is promoting foreign and local investment in ICT. Expressly, the objectives of the Act include support for the “modernization and development of the nation with [respect to]