When politics meets entertainment: Malaysia’s new political stage — Nurizah Md Ngadiran, Safra Liyana Sukiman and Hazila Kadir
OCTOBER 29 — All of us are mostly aware that politics used to have a predictable setting. Politicians spoke at ral...
On October 29, politics is no longer confined to traditional settings like rallies and Parliament debates. It has expanded into the digital realm, specifically our smartphones. Politicians are increasingly using platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube to engage with the public, often adopting techniques commonly found in entertainment. This fusion of politics and entertainment is known as "politainment."
Politainment is not about turning politicians into celebrities, but rather about how political information is presented using entertainment techniques such as personality, humor, storytelling, emotion, and easily shareable content. Malaysians have several examples of this trend. One prominent MP has been using TikTok to deliver political speeches, campaign messages, and videos tailored for younger audiences.
Another example is a state Chief Minister whose distinctive social media presence has garnered academic interest, demonstrating how political meaning can be created through performance and audience interaction. A third example is provided by two former ministers who used a podcast to discuss politics, policies, and current affairs in a conversational and accessible manner.
These examples illustrate that politainment can take various forms, from a 30-second TikTok video to a two-hour podcast. The benefits of politainment include making politics more accessible to people who might not typically engage with traditional political platforms, and allowing complex issues to reach a wider audience when presented creatively.
However, there are also risks associated with politainment. Social media platforms prioritize content that generates attention, which can sometimes prioritize wit and confrontation over thoughtful analysis. This raises a crucial question: are Malaysians becoming more politically informed or simply more politically entertained? While a high number of views, likes, and followers may signify popularity, it does not necessarily indicate a deep understanding of politics or the effectiveness of government decisions.
This underlines the importance of media literacy, enabling Malaysians to enjoy political content while remaining critical of it. It is essential to consider the source, the information presented, and to differentiate between evidence, opinion, satire, and political promotion.
While politics does not have to be boring to be meaningful, it is crucial to remain vigilant in the age of politainment, where going viral can capture attention without providing substantive policy understanding. Ultimately, governing a country requires more than merely entertaining an audience.
Written by urgent.news from Malay Mail's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
