WHILE Malaysia’s multiculturalism is celebrated globally, it’s essential to recognise the challenges arising from such diversity.

Social divisions can manifest in various ways, from simmering racial tensions to religious misunderstandings and prejudices.

The coexistence of numerous identities sometimes highlights potential friction, especially with the rapid rise of the “green wave” since the 2022 general election.

Last year’s polls and the subsequent state elections showcased the pivotal role social media play in expanding the reach of politicians.

TikTok emerged as a dynamic and accessible medium for parties to communicate with a diverse electorate.

With its short-form videos and wide reach , this social media platform significantly shaped political discourse and mobilised supporters.

Once solely associated with entertainment, TikTok has evolved into a powerful tool for political engagement.

Parties utilised its interactive nature to connect with the younger demographic and encourage participation in the democratic process.

Creative and engaging TikTok campaigns provided voters with a platform to voice concerns, express opinions, and rally behind chosen candidates.

Our first impressions of TikTok as a political engagement tool were of Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman and his viral dance moves, clips of DAP’s speeches, and the interactive videos of PAS.

However, while TikTok’s influence in shaping political narratives is undeniable, it also poses challenges.

TikTok’s algorithm-driven content distribution ensures certain videos and trends go viral, thereby influencing which issues gain prominence. This agenda-setting power can shape public discourse by determining the most attention-capturing topics.

Yet, this mechanism also has the potential to amplify controversial or sensational issues, overshadowing nuanced discussions crucial for informed decision-making.

While TikTok’s engagement attests to its success, it also harbours downsides.

The platform’s algorithm often presents users with content aligning with their beliefs, creating echo chambers where individuals are predominantly exposed to agreeing viewpoints.

Overexposure to extremist information from one party or another can solidify ideas that are hard to change.

Moreover, such segregation is often deliberate, especially during elections when parties exploit it to gain netizen support, fostering polarisation and reinforcing political divisions, thereby hindering constructive dialogue.

TikTok’s democratised content creation provides a platform for various perspectives and opens the door to misinformation and manipulation.

Political actors can exploit the platform’s features to advance agendas through carefully crafted content resonating with specific demographics.

For example, speech clips can be intentionally edited and translated into Bahasa Melayu to disseminate extremist information.

Selectively editing and translating speech clips for particular audiences can distort messages, fuel misinformation, and promote misunderstanding.

As Malaysia navigates the uncharted waters of digital political engagement, TikTok’s influence is profound yet complex.

It empowers citizens, broadens discourse, and raises awareness. However, it also necessitates vigilance against misinformation and polarisation.

Striking a balance between engagement and responsible use is pivotal in realising TikTok’s potential as a force for unity rather than division.

As a single TikTok video can wield global impact, media literacy education must evolve. It should emphasise digital responsibility.

This education encourages users to consider potential consequences of actions on social media, urging verification before sharing and mindfulness of the narratives they amplify.

People are the key agents of change in harnessing TikTok’s unity potential.

Informed posts, accurate information sharing, and respectful dialogue all shift discourse away from division.

Media literacy education isn’t merely a top-down initiative but a collective effort in which everyone plays a vital role.

By promoting scepticism and questioning the credibility of encountered platform information, people can foster a discerning culture.

Engaging in thoughtful discussion, demanding evidence, and considering multiple perspectives are steps each user can take to uphold digital discourse integrity.

We should all be mindful of information consumption. A few minutes to fact-check news leads to a more inclusive, moderate, and vigilant online community. – August 21, 2023.

* Chu Min Wei holds a degree in Journalism (minor in Political Science) from UTAR and is a member of the Agora Society. She is interested in the study of subculture and media, and believes that institutional reform could have a greater impact on marginalised subcultures and the media landscape.