Dear Colleagues,

There are currently approximately 5.2 billion social media users worldwide, representing a significant portion of the global population. Social media is digital technology that allows the sharing of ideas and information, including text and visuals, through virtual networks and communities. The largest social media platforms worldwide are Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok, WeChat, and X (formerly known as “Twitter”).

Social media has many distinctive qualities and strengths, such as communication, openness, participation, and involvement. Social media is progressively gaining popularity and attracting the interest of public administrators in both developed and developing countries to take advantage of social media in their governance.

 

Public administration is intricately related to social media in moden society. First, it is contended that social media encourages "voice and accountability" as well as political stability and non-violence participation. Secondly, governments typically use social media to disseminate information. Evidence indicates that governments employing social media have been more successful in promoting citizen participation and changing public perceptions. There is also evidence of government using social media to inform the populace of their policies and how they benefit them and how to access these policies. In the meantime, there are also some key challenges in using social media in public administration in the modern era.

 

This special issue is intended to answer, but not limited to, the relevant research questions listed below:

· How does social media influence public administration?

· How social media is affecting the way government agencies operate and interact with citizens?

· What are the potential benefits of social media for public administration, such as increased transparency, improved accountability, and more productive citizen engagement?

· How does social media enhance transparency?

· What is the role played by digital media in the improvement of public policies?

· What are the benefits and challenges that public administrators may face due to the continuous intervention of social media?

· How do social media platforms influence the process of policy formulation?

· To what extent does public opinion shape policy decisions as express on social media?

· What are the potential risks and benefits of using social media for public engagement in policymaking?

· What are the major challenges faced by public administration in the era of wide social media usage?

 

All article types such as theoretical building, empirical studies, systematic review, case studies, etc., are welcome.

Social Media; Public Administration; Public Engagement; Citizen Participation; Transparency; Corruption; Political Mobilization; Activism; Public Opinion Formation; Policy Development; Policy Formulation; Policymaking; Freedom of Expression; Misinformation; Fake News; Countering Disinformation; Challenges; Benefits; Risks.