An introduction
As
the robust advance of information and communication technologies (ICT) continue
to enable and facilitate people around the globe to connect and to interact
directly with one another, social media outlets have stolen the attentions of many
bureaucrats for their major role in voicing peoples’ aspirations and shaping
public policies in many areas.Along with the exponential growth of social media
around the world, many government officials, including diplomats, have utilized
this channel to conduct and expand their public diplomacy.
This
emergence of new diplomatic operating environment enables diplomats and
relevant officials to communicate, connect, interact and maintain contacts with
their domestic as well as foreign constituencies. Two-way dialogues are easier
to build, creating direct and personal communication channels to listen and
respond to the societies’ needs.
Although
many argue that the advance ICT in the form of social media only add a new
dimension in foreign policies’ business, it is widely accepted that the wider
use of social media outlets, such as Facebook and Twitter, do create and bring
significant impacts on the ground. As a wide range of opinions, political views
and interests, and even mobilization of activities are widely and easily shared,
peoples-driven transformation process are more likely to take place. The Arab Spring is indeed one of the
illustrious examples of this phenomenon, lauded the role of social media and even
coined the term “Twitter Revolution”.
While
security and political issues are still considered sensitive and tend to be
handled in more traditional ways, many foreign ministries expand their public
diplomacy efforts focusing on social, economy and cultural exchanges through
social media.Rigorous dissemination of information of one country’s values and
cultures has been aggressively conducted in these platforms.
Nevertheless, as this new technological
revolution is utilized in some foreign ministries, it proves to be difficult for
many. The adaption of digital diplomacy by many foreign ministries takes slow pace and to some extents, it
suggests that there is a degree of uncertainty over this novel concept. Perhaps,
two of the biggest questions here are what digital diplomacy is and what it can
be used for. In addition, how to effectively formulate and implement
communication strategies using these new platforms continues to be debated.
At this juncture, one particular foreign
ministry has been considered successful in embracing these novel technologies. The
U.S. State Department has arguably been known as “the world’s leading user” of
e-diplomacy or some might say, internet diplomacy. The U.S. State Department, including its
representatives and missions abroad, has been strategically using websites and technology-basedvenues
to help carry out its diplomatic affairs.
Along
the same line, the European Union continues to adapt its policies and
approaches in dealing with the world’s affairs and responding to the
exponential growth of social media. Some ASEAN member countries,such as Thailand
and the Philippines, are also on the front lines when it comes to digital
diplomacy.Indonesia, to some extent, has also joined the game and made use of
these latest technologies.
Now, how about Indonesia?
Now, how about Indonesia?
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