新加坡媒体：社交媒体成为新加坡选举必争之地

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the significant impact of social media on the political landscape during Singapore's most competitive election, highlighting both the opportunities and challenges it presents for candidates and political parties [1][2]. Group 1: Social Media's Role in Elections - Social media has become a battleground for both the ruling party and opposition, with all constituencies facing competition, and multiple constituencies experiencing multi-cornered contests [1]. - Candidates utilized social media to engage with voters, allowing for informed choices, and providing a platform for under-resourced candidates, such as independents, to promote themselves effectively [1]. - Two independent candidates retained their election deposits, with one achieving a notably high vote count, attributed to their effective use of social media [1]. Group 2: Challenges Posed by Social Media - The rise of social media lowers the barriers to political participation but increases the costs for candidates, as they face public scrutiny and potential reputational damage from anonymous online criticism [2]. - The anonymity of social media can lead to irresponsible and extreme opinions that do not necessarily reflect the majority view, yet these voices can amplify and influence public sentiment [2]. - Post-election, there is a concern that social media continues to manipulate political discourse, creating internal strife rather than fostering unity and collaboration in addressing national challenges [2].