Digital platforms are now increasingly used for diplomatic signaling. MFAs and diplomats often use Twitter to comment on crises, address other nations’ policies and even criticize state action. They do so knowing full well that their Twitter accounts are monitored by their peers, and influential social media users such as journalists and blogger. Already in... Continue Reading →
The Downside of Digital Diplomacy: Life in the Age of Constant Surveillance
Philosophers and political theorists have argued that the goal of every society is complete control. This is also true of democratic societies and herein lies the tension of every democracy. That a government is elected by people to manage its affairs. Yet soon that very government strives to control its citizenry. Free people thus freely... Continue Reading →
Can digital diplomacy skills serve as public diplomacy resources? The case of Brexit
When evaluating the digitalization of public diplomacy, one can segment this process into two stages. The first stage lasted from circa 2007 to 2014. It was during this stage that diplomats and diplomatic institutions began to experiment with digital technologies. In 2007 the Swedish Institute launched one of the world’s first virtual embassies. In 2011... Continue Reading →
How Diplomats Can Combat Digital Propaganda
James Pamment has written that for most of the 20th century the term public diplomacy was associated with the term propaganda. According to the Oxford Dictionary propaganda relates to information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote a political cause or point of view. During the 21st century, the field of public... Continue Reading →
How Governments Frame on Digital Diplomacy Channels
Framing theory has been a focal point of research in the field of communications for several decades. According to Robert Entman, framing is the result of selection and salience. Thus, to frame is "to select some aspects of a perceived reality and make them more salient in a communicating text, in such a way as... Continue Reading →