American political strategist Joe Trippi said the success online in a presidential election in Korea inspired his effort to move American politics toward Internet and social media communication. (Photo by Taein Park, Missouri School of Journalism)

SEOUL (June 22, 2012) — Most members of the media are aware of the role that social media networks like Twitter and Facebook play in shaping modern journalism, but people may be less aware of social media’s impact on politics around the world.

In a panel discussion at the East-West Center’s 2012 International Media Conference in Seoul, South Korea, American political strategist Joe Trippi and Singaporean politician Nicole Seah touted the growing importance of social media in politics.

Trippi spoke first, citing the 2002 South Korean presidential election as an influence for his creation of Howard Dean’s Internet campaign in 2004. The success with which citizens of South Korea, one of the world’s most wired countries according to Forbes.com, conducted the campaign for winning candidate Roh Moo-Hyun online inspired Trippi to move American politics toward Internet and social media communication. Continue reading »