MEDIA, DEMOKRASI DAN GENERASI MUDA: ANALISIS KEPUTUSAN PILIHAN RAYA UMUM KE-12

The 12th general election has changed significantly the political landscape in Malaysia. For the first time since independence, the ruling party National Front failed to gain control of five state governments and unable to secure a two third majority in the federal parliament. Besides major issues raised in campaigns, internet was singled out as one of the main contributing factor that swing young voters to the opposition coalition People’s Front. This study analysed variables related to media credibility including the internet, issues raised in the campaign such as increasing price of consumer products, unemployment, crime rates, increasing incidents of corruption, and equal treatment of citizens regardless of race. Multiple regression analyses indicated that credibility of source of information such as internet and friends together with major issues raised in the campaign contributed positively towards satisfaction with election results that favours the opposition coalition.