Comments on: Japan Bans Twitter for Upcoming Election

By: mahasti

mahasti — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 19:19:41 +0000

The medium is the message: Twitter is a space for a free exchange of ideas and information. All esle is a firewall. Governments that are by the people for the people don’t have any use for firewalls. Others do. Cp. Obama vs Ahmadinejad. Case closed.

By: Mark Pack

Mark Pack — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 07:22:37 +0000

Hard to come up with a justification, other than banning Twitter is consistent with the bans on other internet services (such as updating blogs). Mind you, the conclusion I’d draw from that is the same as Paul above – the whole law should be changed.

Last year there were some signs that people were willing to break the law and the police weren’t willing to enforce it – see http://www.libdemvoice.org/japan-elections-ban-twitter-15713.html – so perhaps popular pressure and actions will result in a de facto change in the law anyway.

By: Paul Papadimitriou

Paul Papadimitriou — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 06:56:19 +0000

Twitter is, after all, a blog, and it is therefore covered by the antiquated law called the Public Offices Election Act.

The Act, written in a time of pamphlets and posters, provides that documents and imagery cannot be used for campaigning. It covers both politicians and every resident of the country.

I think it’s time to revoke that piece of legislation, for it is unmanageable.

I’ve written a little piece getting into a little bit of more detail here:

http://jpnnxt.com/twitter-social-media-and-japan-elections

Cheers.

By: Make money And blogging tips

Make money And blogging tips — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 06:41:45 +0000

wow twitter become more powerful now

By: Tinh

Tinh — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 02:25:27 +0000

Another China? I think it is not effective and not democratic with Japanese citizens, they have more ways to share rather than Twitter as Facebook is real time too

By: Lauren McMullen

Lauren McMullen — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 20:25:06 +0000

Twitter is all about developing a relationship and creating open dialog between participants. It gives everyone a voice even those who do not have any power. In my opinion that can only help in the democratic process!

The only reason Twitter might not speak to the common populace is they have not discovered it yet but that is quickly changing. Demographics show the fastest growing segment of Twitter users is the 22-35 year olds.

Traditional media is very often biased toward one side or the other and I think Twitter will go a long way toward leveling the playing field. The only reason the Japanese government would have for banning Twitter is they don’t like what they know they will hear.

By: David

David — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 19:15:36 +0000

Interesting post. I think, though, that the point is not that Twitter is specifically banned, but that Japan is generally not as open about its political process. Its election campaigns are known to be short and restricted, and candidates have to work harder to connect with individuals. On the other hand, they are less susceptible to the mudslinging and smear campaigns so common in the US and elsewhere.

I think that it would be great first step for Japan to open its “literature and images” restrictions, which would add much more transparency to the political process. Twitter, in my opinion, is more geared toward those with a special interest in politics, beyond a typical individual. While I think Twitter is a useful communication tool, it doesn’t generally speak to the common populace reached by more traditional media. Consequently, I’d place its importance behind that of other media outlets.