The Impact of Social Media on Politics: A Double-Edged Sword

"The Power and Peril of Social Media in Political Discourse"

 Social media has become a ubiquitous aspect of modern life. Millions of people around the world use platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to connect with others, share information, and voice their opinions on a wide range of issues. One area in which social media has had a significant impact is politics. While it has revolutionized political communication and mobilization, it has also created new challenges and risks for political systems around the world 👉The Pros of Social Media in Politics

One of the most significant ways social media has impacted politics is through its ability to engage and mobilize people. Social media platforms provide a direct channel for political actors to reach out to citizens and build support for their ideas and policies. This is especially true for younger generations, who are more likely to get their news and political information from social media than traditional news sources. Social media has also given rise to new forms of political participation, such as online petitions, viral campaigns, and crowdfunding for political candidates.

Social media has also made it easier for political candidates to connect with their supporters and create a sense of community. By building a strong online presence, candidates can use social media to humanize their campaigns and share their personal stories and values with voters. Social media can also help candidates to identify and respond to emerging issues and concerns in real-time, allowing them to adjust their messaging and strategy accordingly.

As Mark McKinnon, a political strategist, notes, "Social media is changing the way we communicate and the way we are governed, and it is a game-changer for political campaigns." One of the most significant ways social media has impacted politics is through its ability to engage and mobilize people. Social media platforms provide a direct channel for political actors to reach out to citizens and build support for their ideas and policies. This is especially true for younger generations, who are more likely to get their news and political information from social media than traditional news sources. As Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a U.S. Representative, points out, "Social media has given us this idea that we can all have a platform, but it's really important to remember that some voices are amplified more than others."

Social media has also given rise to new forms of political participation, such as online petitions, viral campaigns, and crowdfunding for political candidates. As Malala Yousafzai, a Nobel Prize laureate and activist, notes, "Social media has given rise to a new form of activism, but it also raises questions about its effectiveness and impact on real-world change." Social media has also made it easier for political candidates to connect with their supporters and create a sense of community. By building a strong online presence, candidates can use social media to humanize their campaigns and share their personal stories and values with voters. As Justin Trudeau, the Prime Minister of Canada, notes, "Social media has allowed us to connect with people around the world in ways that were once unimaginable, but it has also created new risks and challenges that we must address."

The Cons of Social Media in Politics

However, social media has also created new challenges and risks for political systems. One major concern is the spread of misinformation and disinformation on social media platforms. With the ease of sharing information on social media, false or misleading information can be spread rapidly, leading to confusion, division, and in some cases, violence. Social media algorithms that prioritize engagement and attention can amplify extremist and polarizing content, leading to increased political polarization and decreased trust in democratic institutions.

Another challenge posed by social media is the issue of privacy and data protection. Social media platforms collect vast amounts of personal data from users, which can be used to target political advertising and influence voters. This has raised concerns about the transparency and accountability of political campaigns and their use of personal data.

👂 Conclusion

In conclusion, social media has revolutionized political communication and mobilization, but it has also created new challenges and risks for political systems around the world. While it has the potential to engage and mobilize citizens, social media also creates risks such as the spread of misinformation and disinformation, polarization, and privacy concerns. Therefore, it is essential that political actors and institutions take these challenges seriously and develop strategies to mitigate these risks while harnessing the positive aspects of social media for democratic purposes.

YATTA !A HOME OF HEROS

Bishop Titus Masika, together with his wife, Rev Agnes Masika, are the founders and directors of Christian Impact Mission (CIM), a non-governmental development agency that continuously develops models and training tools for community development. The impact of their project has won national and international acclaim. They have made a significant contribution to the transformation efforts in Ukambani. Many people thought that nothing good could come out of Makutano-Yatta, Kenyatta Division of Machakos County, a gazette semi-arid area whose perennial drought is the subject of many. According to climate-data.org, Machakos County receives an annual rainfall average of 829 mm/32.6 inches. They were right. The region receives slight rain, and its unproductive soil reduced the Yatta people to dependents of donor aid. Enough was enough! The community declared. They wanted transformation. Therefore, in 2009 Bishop Masika had to radically change the people’s views about aid, so they launched Operation Mwolyo Out [OMO], Mwolyo means relief in Akamba. Bishop Masika was ready to lead the community out of dependency.

 “Being a semi-arid land, water was a constant problem in Yatta. People walked for more than 20km daily in search of water. And OMO addressed this by exploring water harvesting technology to supplement the scanty rainwater,” Bishop Masika stated. He had a five-year plan; in which period, the community was to have sufficient food and water. To get this done, villagers dug up pans of 20ft deep to collect rainwater. In fact, each homestead has up to two pans. The villagers were excited about what they had achieved, for the water collected in the pans is used to irrigate crops to maturity. Slowly but steadily, this led to food security in the region.

BELOW IS A  PICTURE OF BISHOP TITUS MASIKA AND MAVUNO INTITUTE STUDENTS CLASS OF 2023 AT YATTA. 

Esther, who has lived in Yatta all her life, says she has seen her community transform from dependency to self-sustainability. “Five years ago, poverty was widespread in this area because the harsh conditions could not allow us to farm. We could barely make ends meet. Everything was a struggle, and it was hard to raise school fees. But today, I am a farmer,” she says with a tinge of pride.

 Overreliance on donors does more harm than good,don't you think 🤔so?.Titus Masika, at the age of 50 when he took an early retirement, recognized this problem. Determined to change the situation, he championed Operation Relief Out. This initiative aimed at enabling people to harness the resources within and around them to be self-sufficient in Yatta. The real change came slowly; however, the farmers in Yatta broke the cycle of food relief reliance. According to a new report by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), about 42 per cent of the country’s (Kenya) development expenditure is donor-financed. Kenyan leaders should learn from Bishop Masika’s model to transform the Kenyan people's mindset. Corbett and Fikkert, authors of When Helping Hurts, suggest that those who desire to help should start by discerning the type of need that exists. After the crisis has been averted, it is important to move quickly into “Rehabilitation” and “Development.” The sad fact is that some people are not ready to seek rehabilitation or claim any responsibility for their condition. However, Kenyan leaders can begin to learn how to identify charities, agencies, and donors that are able to help those in need make the transition from relief to rehabilitation and development.

👉 Say no! to dependency on doners. Counties in Kenya  needs change and transformational experience like yatta community had with the help of God using Bishop Titus Masika .

 

  

  

God's own time

 True Story

I wouldn’t want to define this blog less than how it descriptively talks about my friend Janet's resent salvation experience at Thika town.

One evening after church service. God had given her an instruction ,which will be revealed soon in the story. Her mind was alert at that time. She understood the assignment. That day she had a lot of tasks which required total attention. Later on, instant  realization kicked in that it’s getting late. Remembering the directive given. She hurried back home parsing. The person who helped here execute her mission was her neighbor. Whom at the tailed end her mind perceived he was used as an accuser. You will later understand how in the story. Note.

Satan can use anyone to accuse you for your sins therefore be very careful. In Zechariah 3:1 “Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right side to accuse him.” From this context Satan has access to Gods court room. His mission is to accuse the brethren. In Revelation 12:9-10 speaks of that event. “The great dragon was hurled down–that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.  Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ.  For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God Day and night, has been hurled down.” 

When Janet executed the decree. she felt the firmness to go to Thika. The sentiment was pitching in. she could no longer decline the desire. God is very mysterious mmm! she thought. The same neighbor helped her find a motorcyclist rider who took her to the stage. On her arrival, a matatu going to Juja immediately showed up. She got intrigued feeling it will drive off without waiting on her. One of the conductors approached asking to pay off motor fee. She agreed knowing she would pay off the debt while on the way to Juja ,subsequently board a matatu to Thika.

Decade later she arrived at Thika town. It was nearly midnight. very late for a girl to be out of the house. She reflected💭. Immediately ,she saw a man lying on the road. His skin was very bruised and not sober. She felt the need to pray for him. His all being screamed ‘help’. She prayed for him sympathetically shortly further continued with her journey. After few minutes on her way. Janet met two street boys. They had asked her for money halfheartedly she declined but felt the need to pray for them. They both gave their lives to Jesus. Since they had told her how hungry they were, both agreed to search for a shop to buy Mandazis. Almost immediately, she met their friends who narrated their sad stories as to how they ended up being street children. ''They looked so young but yet eager to live their lives'' she narrated.

 Thinking how she could help them. A cloud of notion posted to her mind. Since it was getting late. Both searched for something to eat by way of directed instructions by one of the boys. They met a man selling coffee and half cakes also known as Kangumus in English. She bought for them each and more street boys kept coming but among them was a troubled boy who desired shoes. Determinate by the money she had. She promised to come tarry soon.

After the overwhelming uncalculated moments. Midnight had exposed its nature. She hurried to see her sister at home only to …….