According to a Tweet from ABS-CBN journalist Ces Drilon, two major political parties have backed out of the upcoming televised HARAPAN President-Vice President Tandem debates which was scheduled this coming Sunday, 10:15PM. I don’t know the exact reason why they’re doing so but apparently it’s because they’re not comfortable with the use of technology and social media during the debates.
Here’s a screenshot of the tweets of Ces Drilon:
One of the best things that social media brought to the world was that we were all given a seat in the table. We were all given a voice and a venue on where to talk and share with others. Before watching TV and listening to candidates was really a one-way propaganda activity. You can’t question or react to them unless you’re watching with a group. Whatever you said would be limited to the four corners of your living room. Social media revolutionized our communication paradigm and changed us to a share generation.
Because of social media, candidates have to be more careful about the things that they’re going to say. For example, a candidate tries to BS us by talking about a topic that he’s not really knowledgeable about – like agriculture. It’s so easy for an industry expert to tweet a counter reaction and that will easily be retweeted all over by thousands of people. Social media makes politicians more accountable and transparent. It cuts through the thick layers of traditional political bullshit that we’ve been forced to listen to over the past few decades.
What candidates have to come to terms with is that social media is not going anywhere. It will continue to grow at a phenomenal rate and they have no choice but to adapt and embrace developments in technology because if they don’t they will get left behind by those that do.
One Criticism on the Harapan Debate
If there’s one thing I’d question in the Harapan debate is the use of the wireless approval remote system. There’s no way to prove that the data being shown there is representative of the entire country. Who controls the sample group? If I were ABS-CBN, I’d take that out and stick to social media because one mistake in determining the sample group can undermine the integrity of the polling system.
Instead of the approval system, why not get a panel of Twitterers? These can be industry experts that can give their comments and reactions REAL TIME during the entire event. That would definitely stir up excitement and it will also force the candidates to skip the BS.
I wonder what political parties backed out from the upcoming debate. I hope it’s not the Liberal Party.
I don’t think it would be them Kev since Mar Roxas was a huge hit during the Harapan forum.
It’s Manzano and Teodoro…
Edu Manzano was absent from last Sunday’s episode of Harapan, perhaps it was PaLaKa who backed out.
Though strange because Gibo has been known to have performed well in other forums.
The other one could be NP because Loren got a beating from the sample group and those who gave reactions from their social media accounts.