Leaders

11 www.digitaldaya.com The role of government? To facilitate the process of engagement with other global citizens around the world. Leaders of highly stable countries will expand their use of Twitter. Good leaders Twitter. We’ve seen the benefits of this practice from Chile to Dubai to Malaysia toAustralia. Finally, confident, stable governments will employ Twitter to educate,inform and inspire the governed. Thisoutreachwillhaveapositiveeffect,givingcitizens forums in which to debate their governments and differing views within population segments. Leaders of unstable countries and/or autocratic countries will continue to view Twitter, Plurk and other social media as a threat to their authority,and justifiably so.The activities undertaken by discontent citizens of Iran after recent “elections” is being “covered”throughsocialmediaratherthantraditional media.The Iranian government still holds sway over the output of traditional media like newspapers and TV news. Conversely, reports of unrest continue to make their way out of Iran via SMSs. We can expect to see more governments use social media in the years and decades ahead. It provides an outreach platform that delivers information and policy at greatly increased velocity.Citizens get the news faster. On the other hand, repressive governments will continue to control social media access out of fear of losing control of their populations.We see evidence of this throughout the world as blogging and social media engagement is discouraged from China toVenezuela. Web-based media will enhance the desire among those living in autocratic societies for democratic change. And while leaders may resist the use of social media,the population will embrace it. Thus, social media must be viewed as a significant means of change and NOT a means of control. Autocratic societies will gradually accept the use of social media and adapt principles of inclusive governance to stay in power and to compete in a global society. The leaders active on Twitter today recognize the power of social media, and do not hesitate to remain in touch with their citizens and the world. Embracing the ideal of inclusive governance and confident of their political legitimacy. What does that tell you about the power ofTwitter? The facts speak for itself. Real leaders tweet. Today we got up very early with our children to vote and ask God for wisdom and strength 8:40 Jan 17th Sebastian Piñera http://www.twitter.com/ sebastianpinera