It is unfortunate that the government’s reactions and
measures are based on social media trends and talk. It turns the government
into these media’s captive rather than having it lead and steer public opinion.
اضافة اعلان
A
government, regardless of its authority or efficiency,
cannot counter social media panic and negative activism. This is a wave that
cannot be held back by succumbing to it, but rather through basic axes that
cannot be surpassed at this stage. Those are:
First: Swift and honest governmental media rhetoric that
precedes events, rather than occurring after them, in response to rumors and
fake news, whereby the function of national media is reduced to refutation, as
is the case today with most official behaviors.
Second: Open, direct communication channels with objective
media and rational social media influencers. Take initiative by forming a new
media lobby capable of analyzing and publishing information, and facts as they
surface while reaching the greatest number of people before they circulate on
social media without verification.
Third: Those operating in a righteous and sound manner have
no reason to fear all forms of media. A strong official is one who keeps moving
forward without looking back, and so it is unacceptable for the government to
follow each and every social media issue to deny, confirm or clarify it.
Information or events that are announced should in theory be followed immediately
by sound and swift analysis, and explanation, which leaves no room for doubt
and eliminates rumors within reason.
Fourth: The government could dispose of rumors and all the
stress weighing officials down through direct and sustained communication with
various forces in the community, particularly the private sector, political
parties, and associations. Positive dialogue fosters means of communication and
generates various ideas, solutions, and alternatives among policymakers, rather
than accusing them of monopolizing the decision-making process.
These proposals require strong political administration,
bold decision making, and a unified governmental front, in addition to
consensus among ministers and officials of different ranks on the content of
media messages. A clear objective should be set in place, carried out through
executive policy. It is the public’s right to be privy to this mechanism and
those meant to implement and monitor it.
Unfortunately, what is happening on social media and some
traditional media is shameful. The ethical standard for rhetoric has fallen
among many those platforms’ users, in turn pressuring officials to rush into
the conversation with clarification, fearing the repercussions of allowing such
rhetoric to spread.
Officials should take advantage of authentic information on
social media, using it to set public opinion back on its proper course, if need
be, or to achieve the government’s objectives.
But if officials remain captive to hearsay and
misinformation, they will end up incapable of working as they should. What is
needed now, is constructive thinking in dealing with traditional and
social media and using them appropriately as most countries around the world do.
Read more opinions
.jpg)
.jpg)
