'Govts must use social media for accountability in democracy'

Panaji, Nov 5: Former Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor today (Nov 5) said governments should utilise social media to connect with the masses and to get a sense of accountability in democracy.

"I hope more and more governments use the social media to have sense of accountability in democracy," Tharoor said in an interaction at the Goa Think Fest 2011, near here.

Speaking on the topic 'Romance, Revolution and Bigotry: The promise and perils of New Media,' the Congress MP said social media is here to stay.

"We may not overestimate it but certainly we cannot underestimate it (social media)," he said.

Pointing out to protests in countries like Egypt, Tharoor said it would have been difficult for these protests to sustain without social media.

He termed social media as a place "where small group of people can make their voice louder".

Tharoor said social networking websites have lot of positives during calamities.

"Social networking has turned out to be a huge blessing in disaster relief. People have been evacuated after they tweeted," he said.

"There has been seriously good work that has been emerging from social networking websites," Tharoor said citing instances from the recent Tsunami in Japan.

The diplomat-turned-politician was one of the first leaders in India to use Twitter to interact with millions of people who follow him online.

PTI