For a while now, the appropriateness of civil servants using social media has been a topic of discussion. Recent debates have led to several retired and serving civil servants advocating for some kind of restrictions on their social media usage as it may interfere with their work responsibilities. This article delves into the pros and cons concerning social media usage by civil servants.
Potential Benefits of Social Media Usage
Civil servants’ utilisation of social media exhibits several advantages. The foremost among these is the heightened accessibility for common people. Public service delivery issues have been effectively resolved through this medium, eliminating longstanding barriers between civil servants and citizens. Social media has also painted a more positive image of the bureaucracy, which was previously viewed as opaque and difficult to approach.
Moreover, it has significantly escalated public awareness about government initiatives and policies. Social media provides an opportunity for bureaucrats to engage with the public and shape public discourse whilst maintaining political neutrality. It has diminished blind obedience among bureaucrats during times when politicians tend to receive biased advice.
Drawbacks and Challenges tied to Social Media Use
Despite its advantages, there are significant cons to the use of social media by civil servants. Anonymity, a defining feature of bureaucracies like the Westminster system in India, poses a problem in the age of public governance, resulting in counterproductive outcomes.
Furthermore, values are superseding facts in public policy-making. This trend, coupled with the spread of fake news and systematic propaganda, is reshaping both visible facts and underlying values within public policy circles. These developments question the likelihood of bureaucracies serving as repositories of facts and epitomes of public values in the digital age.
The Evolving Role of Social Media in Bureaucracy
Social media usage is becoming institutionalised in many countries that follow the Westminster system. During the UK’s Brexit debate, many civil servants leveraged social media to shape public discourse while remaining politically neutral.
However, in India, the situation is different. The increasing use of social media for self-promotion and narrative building among civil servants raises questions about its true role in promoting accessibility and accountability. A misplaced idea becoming prevalent is that social media is the key to accessing civil servants and holding them accountable.
Guiding Principles for Future Use
Despite these challenges, solutions exist. Civil servants should harness the power of social media to improve public policies, ensuring their roles as independent advisers are not undermined. They must remember that while social media can enhance accessibility and accountability, the information shared can be selective, distorting the representation of their performance.
Furthermore, it’s essential that social media doesn’t become a substitute for institutional and citizen-centric accountability. The unrestricted usage of social media during work hours can be viewed as unethical, particularly when people who have travelled long distances await their services.
Using Social Media to Promote Facts and Achievements
The use of social media should extend beyond basic communication. It should be a platform for demonstrating facts and showcasing success. This surge of positivity can counteract the pervasive negativity seen on social media and other communication channels. A movement in this direction, #Nexusofgood, aims to highlight the good work done by civil servants and society as a whole.
Finally, a thought to ponder upon could be a previous year question from the UPSC Civil Services Exam: “The current internet expansion has instilled a different set of cultural values which are often in conflict with traditional values”. An appropriate reflection on this question could pave the way towards a more productive use of social media by civil servants in the future.
