Democracy entails the protection of human rights among individuals facing social, economic, and political challenges. Authorities are expected to protect their citizens’ natural rights as a means of enhancing the motivation required for economic growth. Traditionally, individuals depend on written materials for learning their democratic rights. Other people rely on daily news on television and radio stations to become informed about democracy (Mutsvairo and Helge 320). Most importantly, technology innovation in social media development has improved knowledge of natural rights protected by fairness. Digital technologies such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and WhatsApp have been useful in informing internet users of their rights (Zuckerman). Social media platforms have enhanced democratic values and practices through information awareness and accurate delivery of justice against crimes.
Social media is improving information awareness by capturing images and videos on democratic processes. Graphic messages enable authorities and judiciary officials to interpret an action to determine their legality (Valente et al.). For instance, compromised healthcare services can be shared across social media platforms when a patient dies due to medical negligence and social ignorance in an institution. Social media technology framework also promote accountability and transparency among public leaders (Tucker et al. 47). For instance, platforms such as WhatsApp, Twitter, and Instagram allow individuals to share video content from hidden cameras depicting large-scale corruption. The collection of graphic evidence promotes legal processes required to persecute self-centered individuals occupying public offices. It is through social media that people from less privileged societies achieve justice on impunity.
Successful democracies depend on information awareness among public community members. Becoming aware of democratic processes is important in guiding one’s actions away from crime. However, it is common to find individuals lacking significant information on vital democratic procedures such as voting. Social media platforms have been useful in enhancing information awareness by disseminating important messages (Tucker et al. 48). For instance, many electoral agencies capitalize on YouTube and Instagram to inform the public on the correct steps of casting a ballot. Such information ensures efficiency in voting as individuals have prior knowledge of what is expected. The platforms allow sharing information in different formats, including images, moving pictures, and illustration charts (Zuckerman). It is through social media, moreover, that people are learning more about their democratic rights.
Social media also promotes social equality by informing the public on the likely punishment of a crime. Legal action against a democratic vice constitutes vital processes depicting judicial procedures. Social media platforms play a useful role in disseminating information regarding the punishment of crime (Valente et al.). For instance, people convicted people of murder have their crimes shared on Facebook and Twitter to warn the public against similar activities. A legal process’s eventuality is critical to democracy as the public is aware of the likely punishment to encounter. It is objective that people learn from convicted persons to understand the consequences of criminality. Social media aids in informing the public on new sentencing decisions associated with a specific wrongdoing.
In conclusion, social media technology is improving democratic processes and the protection of natural rights. The platforms have been objective in evidence collection, targeting activities or scenes which incriminate individuals. It has improved both legislative and judicial processes enhanced by real-time graphic content. Social media has also encouraged information awareness by providing messages in ethnic language. Public members understand their rights from platforms delivering information with optimal consideration on audience literacy. Awareness of democratic procedures and the consequences of crime have improved public behavior. It is critical in initiating, implementing, and sustaining legislation aimed at protecting natural laws.
Works Cited
Mutsvairo, Bruce, and Helge Rønning. “The Janus face of social media and democracy? Reflections on Africa.” Media, Culture & Society, vol. 42, no. 3, 2020, pp. 317-328.
Tucker, Joshua A., et al. “From liberation to turmoil: Social media and democracy.” Journal of democracy, vol. 28, no. 4, 2017, pp. 46-59.
Valente, Mariana, et al. Is Social Media Good or Bad for Democracy? Sur, 2018, Web.
Zuckerman, Ethan. Six or Seven Things Social Media Can Do for Democracy. Ethanzuckerman, 2018, Web.