section_path: Campaign/Podcasts
section_name: Podcasts
paragraph_text: Podcasts
  
  Politicians, including prime minister Lawrence Wong, health minister Ong Ye Kung, and NCMP Hazel Poa, have appeared on local podcasts as part of their communication and campaign strategy. Producers and hosts of four Singaporean podcasts told CNA Today that political interest in appearing on their platforms has surged since 2020, especially ahead of this year's election. Experts interviewed by The Straits Times suggested that the casual format allows politicians to connect with voters beyond traditional media, particularly younger people and older millennials. Kenneth Paul Tan of Hong Kong Baptist University noted that podcasts in Singapore serve both as hegemonic reinforcement and contestation. While they help the PAP humanise its leaders and foster relatability, it also allows the opposition to bypass mainstream media, challenge the PAP, and appeal to disillusioned Singaporeans especially in Singapore's tightly controlled media landscape. Tan also believed that podcasts during the election changed Singaporeans' engagement with politics as politicians became more candid while voters "began listening differently".
  
  Natalie Pang, head of NUS's Department of Communications and New Media, added that such podcasts could provide a platform for individuals with differing political views to engage in candid exchange with one another – an important factor amid rising political polarisation worldwide. Pang also highlighted that some podcast hosts have been willing to challenge politicians on their shows, often voicing public concerns and asking pressing questions. Nevertheless, commentators on CNA Today noted that viral online content does not necessarily translate into electoral success, as voters have mixed opinions on its influence. Moreover, social media's reach is more confined to specific demographics, particularly younger voters.