Media Handbook for National Human Rights Institutions Chapter 4: Using social media IN THIS CHAPTER: 4.1. Introduction 4.2. Different types of social media platforms 4.3. Strategies to engage different groups of social media users 4.4. Developing a social media strategy 4.5. Developing a social media policy 4.1. INTRODUCTION The rapid growth of social media in recent years has transformed the nature of human rights advocacy and communication around the world. Social media is now an essential tool for nearly all human rights organizations, allowing them to connect with people, share information, exchange opinions, mobilize supporters and advocate for change. The strategic use of social media tools, such as Facebook and Twitter, has been a common element in recent efforts to bring about genuine legal, social and political change in different parts of the globe. For example, many articles have been written about the central role of social media in the Arab Spring of 2010–11. New York University Professor of Journalism Clay Shirky argues that there are two key steps necessary for the development of a vibrant civil society and a healthy democratic culture. The first step is access to information and the media is the first step and the second involves active debate and conversation. Shirky highlights the vital role played by social media in this process. He describes it as a powerful disseminator of information and a facilitator of mass conversation, with the capacity to generate “many to many” communication. Further, social media can be used to organize and coordinate the actions of many.27 Of course, these “many to many” conversations via social media rely on people having access to an Internet where they can freely communicate and share ideas. This is not always this case, as governments can sometimes take steps to block access to certain websites and social media platforms. Over the past few years, a number of political leaders, including Hilary Clinton, and prominent human rights advocates have highlighted the importance of the “freedom to connect”, which involves promoting freedom of expression, association and assembly in online spheres. As with their role to promote and protect freedom of expression with regards to the mass media, NHRIs should also consider what contribution they can make the ongoing discussion and debate around human rights and online communication. A number of NHRIs in the Asia Pacific region, such as the National Human Rights Commission of Korea, have begun working in this area. 27 Clay Shirky; Here Comes Everybody: The Power of Organizing Without Organizations; 2008. See also Sarah Joseph; Social Media, Political Change, and Human Rights; 2012; available at http://lawdigitalcommons.bc.edu/iclr/vol35/iss1/3. Chapter 4: Using social media | 59