Can Social Media, Loud And Inclusive, Fix World Politics?

            I read a political commentary on The Huffington Post titled “Can Social Media, Loud AndInclusive, Fix World Politics?” This intriguing commentary written by Rania Fakhoury, listed ways in which social media can fix world politics and listed ways in which social media can jeopardize the way the way everyone views politics around the world. Rania also explains how the government relies on this extensive tool in ways to exercise power.  

             Social Media has continued to expand and grow since it was ever introduced into our country. Now, Rania states that media is in four out of five countries. Media is used for numerous purposes. It can be used to prevent corruption and it allows the public to participate and engage in government affairs. More importantly, media allows the government to improve and communicate with their citizens. However, while there are many benefits using media especially when it comes to politics, there are many cons too. The media often entails fabricated news which messes with what people think or believe in. For example, Rania mentions how in 2014 Russia spread false news about the downing of the Malaysia Arline flight to cover up their military involvement. In addition, the media also broadcasted extreme hate and many lies about our most recent election.

            I agree with everything Rania Fakhoury writes about in her credible commentary. Not only does Rania strengthen her commentary by providing real life examples of our government and how Social Media plays a role in countries all over the world. While social media will never be a perfect and truthful, it will continue to grow and remain a powerful technological tool for the government and will allow the people to learn more and engage more in politics. 

Turning Protests Into Action With Technology

            I chose to write about a political commentary on The Huffington Post titled “Turning Protests Into Action With Technology.” The authors Gavis Newsom and Sam Blakeslee talk about how the internet and technology is the most powerful tool there is when it comes to politics and the government. However, fabricators of fake news and false information have made this tool untrustworthy which is why that made their own invention- Digital Democracy.

 

              Digital Democracy is a video platform designed so any citizen or advocacy groups can conveniently engage in the democratic process. This gives people the advantage to search anything they want to know more about and know for certain that what they are reading is actually true! I know that when I am interested in learning more about something that is going on with our government, I turn straight to the internet. Yet, I know a lot of things I read are not true or is misinterpreted and I can never be sure. Digital Democracy allows you to search a key word you are wanting to learn more about and then shows you real information and even videos about that specific topic. In addition, it is a great source for young people or those who are not big into politics or government. You do not need to know the names of every legislator or elected representatives, you can just simply type in “election” or “sentence reform” and it will bring up all the videos that talk about it. If everyone wants people to be more educated when voting comes around, Digital Democracy will help with just that!

 

            Digital Democracy is an excellent and useful tool for people who are seeking reliable information and it is even great for the uneducated. I believe Digital Democracy will continue to expand greatly around the United States since it is already easing itself into Texas! It is something we have all been needing.