Is social media affecting African politics?

The use of social media is really affecting African politics. The real meaning of what is being said is put aside and the trival issues are rather blown out of proportion. An example is when President Mills was giving his inugural speech, he made a slip of tongue, saying 'ecomini' instead of economy and this was what the media was interested in, to the extent that the whole message delivered was negleted and just the slip was harped on, Music was even made out of this slip.

Social media has become a hanging place for African youth in Africa and in Diaspora. Unlike blogs, Social media you can have a more personable discussion. The easy to use event tools and instant emails are doing wonders in mobilizing the youth. In Africa social media politics are has become democratic and people can chat and express their opinions without fear.
Social media will bridge the information gap of Africa and the rest of the world. These kids would "like" the Queens page, follow Obama's page, know what writers like Ngugi wa Thiongo and Wole Soyinka are upto on a daily basis.
Social media will expose young Africa future generation with the latest happenings from the latest "Seal or John Legend's Album" to Stories of African immigrants in Russia or China, to virtual tours in Disney world. They can change their facebook page to Afrikaan, Swahili, Arabic, or even Yiddish.
Social Media is changing African Newspapers, Business News, Stock exchanges, and politics. Yes Politics. Young people can now "like" politicians who stand for something. They can call upon their politicians to critisize, change their nations to their liking.

The questions posed here are obviously based on the supposition that you can believe a single word coming from a politician's mouth. Or, in the case of Africa, that these rulers have any intention whatsoever of ever implementing any of their typically meaningless promises, e.g., eradicating poverty or eliminating corruption. I don't care how they choose to communicate - that's for the BBC and their African colleagues to worry about. What I care about is delivery: education, infrastructure, state institutions - all those basic things that define a country, and without which no policy pronouncements can ever be translated into concrete results.

THE SOCIAL MEDIA IS AFFECTING AFRICAN POLITICS IN A POSITIVE DIMENSIONS. THE SOCIAL MEDIA HAVE GIVEN THE AFRICAN POPULATION THE ACESS TO VOICING THEIR VOIVES THAT IF LEFT WITH THE AFRICAN POLITICIANS THEY WILL DISCOURAGE IT BECAUSE THEY DONOT WANT FOR THEIR DEEDS TO PASS THE VENTILATION TEST.

SAM G. TA- KRUAH, JR.
GANTA, LIBERIA

[Unsuitable/Broken URL removed by Moderator]To an extent i think the social media is doing a lot in shaping the politics of Africa. many young people have a chance to explicitly express easily their opinions on a number of issues, another thing the social media can disguise the identity of the person, so this gives people confidence to express all that is choking them. many leaders in Africa now have like a channel through which they can directly get to the people’s views, i strongly believe the Jonathan of Nigeria posts and reads some of the comments on his facebook page.
In Uganda computer usage has gone on the verge, and almost every leader at all levels has a social site page where he or she at some moments interact with the people. And with this so much has physically been done after a continued plea by many people on the particular social site.
So many people have condemned some practices over these sites and the authorities have acted in accordingly to avert the situation.
The social sites are also used to promote political campains and agendas, of many candidates and also promoting their own websites.
Last but not list, the social sites have become a media of information. Since we get all the latest news, campaign updates. This makes me feel social sites are really doing great to uplift the politics of Africa.

This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

The likes of facebook , twitter , myspace , and blogs have immensely changed the political landscape of the African continent . Thanks to technology ; Africa is emerging from darkness to light. Even in the smallest and remote villages in Africa , town cryers are no longer needed to make loud noises to gather people under palava huts for political discussions. Since the introduction of cell phones and other medium of communication , people can now connect with families , friends , and neighbors to talk about issues affecting their lives.

Most African leaders who are despots and tyrrants now see this technological super highway as a threat to their style of governance.