Media and Democracy, OhMy!

At a recent conference, the publisher of South Korea's OhmyNews described "the collaboration between Korean citizens and the online newspaper. ... Eight hours before the start of voting, another candidate who had been supporting [reform candidate Roh Moo Myun], withdrew from the campaign. The conservative newspaper ... was quick to call Korean voters to follow this example and withdraw their support for Roh." However, "the online community of Korean netizens who were backing Roh sprang into action." OhmyNews covered their actions, becoming "the epicenter of reform-minded citizens." Instead of such dynamic coverage, U.S. media "was filled with negative campaign ads" in the months before the U.S. elections.