Trends and Issues of Social Media Adoption by Public Administration in New Normal

Abstract

Public administration is going through rapid transformation due to external pressure of adapting to the New Normal in a response to COVID-19 pandemic. This transformation is supported by the usage and adoption of social media tools and techniques which have in a way supported this transformation. Alter natively, the adoption of social media has brought its own challenges and problems during the process. This chapter addresses the trends and issues of the social media adoption by the public administration. Chapter covers the challenges posed by the COVID-19 to the public administration and response to this phenomenon supported by the social media. Acceptance of the social media in the new normal, generally, and specifically by the public administrators is also discussed. Identified trends include but not limited to the new information dissemination patterns, engagement techniques, public sentiment analysis, emergence of “celebrity servants”, localization of social media and emergency response integration. Whereas issues of infodemics, misinformation, disinformation and malinformation are discussed with suggestions to address these concerns.