Social media and politics

Like it or not, social media and politics have become inseparable.
That’s because so much of our political discourse happens via social media.
Why, though? Tweets and comments represent the modern-day public forum. Social media’s ability to break news in real-time has transformed the way we absorb information.
Meanwhile, the ability to go back-and-forth with voters and constituents directly is invaluable to politicians looking to sway public opinion.
Navigating social media and politics can be tricky for those responsible for managing public accounts, though. That’s exactly why we put together this guide.

1. Engage the public via live video Live video has taken over political social media.

Serving as a sort of alternative to traditional newscasts, social media video empowers politicians to break their own news and have conversations with constituents in real-time.

For example, many politicians have taken to regular live streaming on Facebook and Instagram as a way to interact with voters and non-voters alike. Rather than just talk at voters, live video encourages both meaningful and personable conversations.

2. (Fact-)check yourself prior to publishing This might seem like a no-brainer but it’s worth noting.

Social media serves as a news source for half of Indian, with many people checking in multiple times daily for updates. To say that political news moves quickly would be an understatement.

That’s why it’s so important to take a proactive approach against misinformation. This also includes making statements or comments that you might need to walk back because you didn’t take the time to fact-check them.

Anyone running social media for political campaigns has a responsibility to be, well, responsible.

False claims and misinformation are difficult to contain once they’ve been made. As such, make sure to put together some sort of approval process or at the very least double-check your sources and wording before making potentially controversial claims.

Remember: social media and politics isn’t a free-for-all. In a day and age where Political tweets are considered public record, there are real-world consequences that go along with a politician’s social presence.