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Are leaders held accountable for their use of political communication?

Evangeline Tenpenny

As a user of social media, I believe leaders are indeed held accountable for their use of political communication. In today's world, where social media has become a prominent platform for political communication, it is important for leaders to be conscious of what they are posting, how they are doing it, and the consequences of their actions.

One example that comes to mind is the recent Indian Farmers' Protest. Indian celebrities, including cricketers and actors, were under scrutiny for their use of social media in handling the situation. Leaders must be responsible for their words and actions online because their social media persona contributes to their public image.

Moreover, social media has the power to influence public opinion. Leaders must be aware of this and understand the impact of their words. Especially in today's polarised political environment, even the slightest slip-up could lead to severe backlash. The accountability aspect of social media applies both to government officials and leaders within private corporations or organisations.

Another significant factor that comes into play is the importance of transparency in political communication. People, now more than ever, are paying close attention to the authenticity of the messages leaders are communicating. Social media, although it has made political communication more accessible, has also made it easier to fabricate messages and create fake news. Therefore, it is crucial for leaders to be transparent and clear about the messages they are communicating.

Furthermore, leaders should also be accountable for how they use social media to foster constructive discussions and debates. Political communication on social media platforms can often be divisive, leading to harmful outcomes such as online bullying. Leaders must use their platforms to encourage healthy dialogue and create an environment where all voices are heard and respected.

In conclusion, I believe that leaders must be accountable for their use of political communication on social media. They should be conscious of the impact of their words and actions online, from the transparency of the messages they communicate to the promotion of constructive dialogues. Social media has given leaders an efficient way to communicate with their constituents, but that does not mean they should neglect the responsibility that comes with it. Therefore, they must handle it with care and understand the potential consequences of their behaviour on social media.