Media issues 2 - Falling from grace

A week before the downfall of a prominent politician representing the ruling party of Singapore, I was in invited to a charity golf event. This particular politician was the guest of honour and many businessman were seen trying to get "chummy" with this guy. Ever since the infamous President Bill Clinton lied on national television about his affair with his intern, my opinion of politician has always been negative. To me, politicians are an epitome of lies and deceit. A week after, I was shocked to see this particular politician on the evening news.

Michael Palmer announced his resignation from his position as Parliament Speaker and Member of Parliament representing Puggol East SMC on 12 December 2012 over improper conduct. The very next day, his extra marital affair with People's Association member Laura Ong became public information after intimate SMSes and emails exchanged surface. Private photos of mystery lady Laura Ong, surfaced on tabloid news media - The New Paper, and she became a celebrity overnight for the wrong reasons.

The use of image is most evident in online news media, especially tabloid news. Synder (ed. 1997, Pg. 59 to 62) describe "writing" as a vehicle to provide information judged to be relevant and important.  "Images" on the other hand, are assumed to have the function of illustration or merely repeating the information (ed. 1997, Pg. 62). Compared to print news, online news usually contain one third in writing and two third are images. 

While the use of image helps enforce information, they is also a negative side to it. The detonative power of an image according to Nack, communicates a precise knowledge, which releases audience from the process of decision making, but leaves a problem of interpretation (n.d., Pg. 39). In a bid to increase readership, tabloid news tends to sensationalise or exaggerate information. The 2 photos featured in the news report shows Laura Ong with Michael Palmer at the bottom, and the photo above shows her attending a retreat in China with another politician. Putting both images together seems to insinuate that she is always getting "involved" with politician.

Mr. Palmer, I wish you all the best in your future endeavour.      

 

References :

Youtube 2012, Michael Palmer resigns as Speaker and MP, viewed 19 February, 2013,  <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bK-eXoMpjg8>

Tan, J, Foo, JY & Heng, L 2012, The New Paper : Annual retreat for "bonding" / SMSes expose Michael Palmer's affair, viewed 19 February 2013,  <http://www.tnp.sg/tags/laura-ong>

Synder, I (ed.) 1997, Page to screen : taking literacy into the electronic era, Allen and Unwin, St. Leonards, N.S.W.

Nack, F, Semiotics in Media, viewed 19 February 2013, <http://ssms10.project.cwi.nl/presentations/nack/SSMS-Nack.pdf>