SOCIAL MEDIA & DEMOCRACY

INTRODUCTION-

It was almost the end of the twentieth century when the internet was introduced for the common man, and now it has integrated into everyone’s life. It has proved itself to be a very useful invention in a number of different ways, and the most interesting thing that became available through the internet to the public is social media. Social media has established new and innovative ways for people to get in touch with each other. Now the use of social media is not limited to discussing family events and sharing photos and videos, it can actually create history and make difference in the real world.

SOCIAL MEDIA & DEMOCRACY-

Social media & how humans behave in different contexts are not far apart. But are closely related and this allows social media to be an important tool in the hands of democratic citizens. According to Kubicek and Westholm, social democracy keeps citizens up to date with information, as they are enlightened on what is happening, in either their country or the whole world through communication and comments on Facebook, Twitter, and other communication networks as they express their opinions.

The Internet as a mode of social media has helped countries like Iran whose electronic and publishing are controlled by the state. Citizens have used the Internet to pass and share information. For example, in 2009, during the Iran elections, citizens were able to comment on Facebook and Youtube, and the whole world was able to follow the election proceedings.

Since Iran is like a locked society, the Internet has benefited its citizens and other closed countries whose freedom of the press is limited. There are groups that support such countries’ Media coverage internationally and emphasizes the freedom of the press. The objective of such groups is to support the countries, which have been affected by politics, conflicts, and insecurities because it is non-profit associations.

TWO SIDES OF A COIN-

Social media may have a positive or negative impact. Despite being informative, it can pass negative messages that can cause wars and conflicts in many countries. Comment on Facebook can be passed on to many people and influence their actions. For example, in African countries like Egypt where people were not contented with the way the government was operating.

The messages were passed on through Twitter and Facebook and media clips on YouTube; these messages turned into protests and riots, which later turned to wars that claimed many people’s lives. This is an indication of how the Internet is as powerful as social media. Thus, the government and citizens should be careful about writing messages and posting comments.

Likewise, US President Barrack Obama’s visit to Facebook, which is on Calif headquarters, was to have a conversation with Facebook Chief Executive Officer, Mark Zuckerberg, and Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg, and the Facebook users. Facebook’s live event was to have famous people participate in it.

The president communicated and connected with people in America and had a chat about issues on improving the economy and advancements that will increase America’s competitive advantage. Andrew Noyes, who is a Facebook spokesperson, recognized that people Facebook in politics to communicate with their friends and to reach them within the shortest time possible.

Also, Americans have used social sites to communicate to their political allies, and the government and local authorities have used such sites to collect the opinions of every citizen. President Obama has used these social sites to communicate and to gain more support, for example, in his campaign on health care improvement.

Google moderator has been used to vote on topics and issues in question, and this enables analysts to predict the outcome of the upcoming events. With President Obama’s use of social sites to interact with people, it is an indication that the white house has embraced these technological improvements.

The US has its website attached to state agencies, and it is accessible to citizens and non-citizens. It is easy to read the government's information. Electronic democracy reduces the costs of communications, and it is easy to get votes from the youth who lead with a high percent of Internet use and think that traditional voting is time-consuming and inconvenient. In essence, the Internet has improved communication technologies like E-voting and E-democracy.

POLITICIAN'S IMAGE-

A number of politicians are now using different social networking sites to make their online presence strong. Twitter and Facebook are the two most internationally used social sites, and different politicians use these two to stay in touch with the public. Through their official pages, they share their recent activities, stance on different matters, and encourage people to share their points of view with them. In this way, they remain active and alive in front of their followers.

CONCLUSION-

So far, social media is unable to bring any massive change in the results of elections in any country, yet its power cannot be denied especially when it comes to the newly registered voters or youngsters. So far, social media is unable to bring any massive change in the results of elections in any country, yet its power cannot be denied especially when it comes to the newly registered voters or youngsters.

 Hope you gained some knowledge and came to know the nuances which exist but we hardly observe, how social media encourages democracy and liked reading it. If you did, don't forget to like and spread this with your friends!