social media
The use of public diplomacy and social media can both be powerful tools in sharing ideas and messages that counter extremism and properly convey the cultures and ideas of countries, a senior US government official said at Zayed University on Wednesday.
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![Photo reprinted courtesy Universidad de Navarra via Flickr Tablet by Universidad de Navarra](https://uscpublicdiplomacy.org/sites/default/files/styles/275x168/public/uploads/17397281706_37cc8f366d_h.jpg?itok=YY2XIeUi)
Digital diplomacy is more than social media visibility.
The Ministry of External Affairs is the most active wing of the Modi government on Twitter with 130 official Twitter accounts, revealed an RTI response. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Cabinet number 2, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, have two accounts each for information dissemination and ensuring quick response during any crisis.
The migration of ministries of foreign affairs (MFAs) to social media is by no means a new occurrence. Indeed, the Israeli, Swedish, and American MFAs have been active on Twitter for nearly a decade. It may therefore be time to investigate if MFAs have mastered the use of social media to attain diplomatic goals—be it conversing with foreign populations, gathering information on other nations' foreign policies, or narrating a coherent national image.
![Photo reprinted courtesy U.S. Mission Geneva via Flickr WIPO Celebrates Visionary Innovators, by U.S. Mission Geneva](https://uscpublicdiplomacy.org/sites/default/files/styles/275x168/public/uploads/6881688000_5a3d936498_k.jpg?itok=ewe9YBES)
It's time to evaluate how much diplomacy has gone digital.
As counter-attacks continue in the Middle East, the Islamic State’s activities in Africa, especially North Africa, are increasing. These activities include a defining characteristic of the Islamic State—its use of the Internet and social media to strengthen its control of territory and advance its extremist agenda.
![Photo reprinted courtesy U.S. Embassy New Delhi via Flickr Ambassador Richard Verma Visits Twitter India Office, by U.S. Embassy New Delhi](https://uscpublicdiplomacy.org/sites/default/files/styles/275x168/public/uploads/20705507941_020ebcd1fc_k.jpg?itok=1zWPKW2E)
Ilan Manor compares how different MFAs have incorporated digital diplomacy.