Twitter diplomacy
Contents
Twitter diplomacy refers to the use of the social media platform Twitter by government officials, diplomats, and other high-level individuals for public diplomacy and conduct of diplomatic communicaiton.
Some examples of Twitter diplomacy include announcements of policy decisions, public statements on current events or international crises, and exchanges of messages between political leaders. One example of the use of Twitter for diplomatic signalling was an exchange in 2013 by then-US Secretary of State John Kerry, who used Twitter to engage with Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif. In a tweet, Secretary Kerry said:
‘Happy Nowruz! Look forward to engaging with you and President Rouhani to find a more hopeful future.’
Zarif responded with a tweet of his own, saying:
‘Have a blessed Nowruz. Iran is ready for constructive engagement. #Nowruz.’
This exchange was the first step in successful negotiations between two hostile countries.
While Twitter can be a useful diplomatic tool, it also has limitations, including the risk of miscommunication or misinterpretation, the potential for messages to be taken out of context, and the lack of nuance that can be conveyed in 280 characters less. The term Twiplomacy was also coined as a shorter name for Twitter diplomacy.
From our blog
Twiplo-blunders: they’re fun, and necessary
07 March 2014
So we all like a good laugh, especially at the expense of important people, which is why pricking pomposity and mocking self-importance has become such a popular sport online (and why anxious, threatened politicians w...
Twitter for Diplomats: A Guide to the Fastest Growing Digital Diplomacy Tool
10 February 2013
Digital diplomacy, Diplomatic theory and practice, Social media, Twitter diplomacy
Twitter is not only the fastest growing form of social media around, but also a veritable initiation to digital diplomacy for most ambassadors around the globe. Indeed, 140 characters have changed the way we see the w...
Social media diplomacy: the rules of engagement
03 December 2012
Digital diplomacy, Diplomatic theory and practice, Foreign policy, International relations and diplomacy, Social media, Twitter diplomacy
In the early 1800s, John Marshall wrote: “To listen well is as powerful a means of communication and influence as to talk well.” The longest-serving Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court and the father of American...
eDiplomacy: influence in the Arab world in the Twitter age
28 August 2012
“As the Web grows more massive all the time, it's becoming increasingly important to quickly assess what Internet users are influential about and how they are influenced in order to make more informed decisions,” ...
Training and courses
Resources
2016
From Harmonising Cyberpolicies to Promoting Twiplomacy: How Diplomacy Can Strengthen Asia-Europe’s Digital Connectivity
This text was published in the ASEF Outlook Report 2016/2017. ... Read more...
2015
Twitter and Diplomacy: How Social Networking is Changing Foreign Policy
The article discusses the impact of social networking, particularly Twitter, on foreign policy and diplomacy, highlighting how governments and leaders are using these platforms to engage with each other and the public in real-time, influencing international relations. ... Read more...
2015
Twiplomacy Study 2015
The Twiplomacy Study 2015 analyzed the Twitter accounts of 669 heads of state and government, revealing that 86 percent have a presence on the platform. With a combined total of over 300 million followers, these leaders use Twitter for diplomatic relations and communic... Read more...
2015
Diplomats on Twitter: The good, the bad and the ugly
The article discusses how diplomats are using Twitter, highlighting both the positive and negative aspects of their presence on the platform.... Read more...
2013
Twitter for Diplomats
Twitter for Diplomats is not a manual, or a list of what to do or not to do. It is rather a collection of information, anecdotes, and experiences. It recounts a few episodes involving foreign ministers and ambassadors, as well as their ways of interacting with the tool... Read more...
Histories
Internet and social media: A focus on diplomacy
Diplomacy has adapted to technological advancements through history, including the internet and social media. Digital diplomacy focuses on utilizing these tools to achieve diplomatic goals, influence global policy, and adapt to new topics like cybersecurity. The intern... Read more...
