Social media, political news exposure and political participation among Malay young people / Siti Nurshahidah Sah Allam ... [et al.]

The power of a democracy relies on the percentage to which its young people are aware of the political processes and involve in political participation. Young people as part of large society sholud not be avoided as they are huge group, young, energetic, proactive and many new ideas that can bring changes to the development of Malaysia towards year 2020. Since young people is valuable in practicing democracy, this study is to examine news media exposure among young people and to search how social media news exposure can influence political participation among young people. Respondents were asked to complete a survey during final year project exhibition with the theme Jati Diri Melayu (Variasi Komunikasi Melayu; VOKAL 2015). The instrument elements is adapted from European Social Survey (ESS) and instruments structured by Merdeka Center who the bodies conducted National Youth Survey in Malaysia on political issues. Findings from a survey (n=128, age 21 to 24) found that there is a greater news media media exposure gain from social media use that may leads to greater political knowledge but not extemely participate in political activities. Contradictory from past research who believe that having greater news media exposure can influence political participation from development of political knowledge. This research suggest that students are not extremely participate in political activities due to the factors of early age in political activities, low political interest and not more negative political attitude.