IS SOCIAL MEDIA A SAFE PLACE FOR PUBLIC RELATIONS PRACTITIONERS? TALKING ABOUT OPPOSITION TO XENOPHOBIA.

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We have seen thousands of posts about #SayNoToXenophobia and how social media has played a major role in the sharing of thoughts on this matter worldwide. The spread of information from fake to accurate news about the trending topic was inevitable, and you and I might have been victims of social media fake images and videos from dramatic social media users. And in the middle of all these, Public relations professionals felt the pressure for being looked at; both with a positive and negative eye by social media users. Was social media a good channel needed by PRPs to address the target audience about the stopping of Xenophobia?

·        ADVANTAGES OF SOCIAL MEDIA for PRPs.

For Public relations practitioners, social media is an advantageous channel because it helps them reach a large audience while targeting them based on their interests.Taking the movement #SayNoToXenophobia for example, more than 1143 people had said no to xenophobia by signing the statement and joining the movement online. Since information is quickly spread on social media, PRPs detect misinformation and immediately update on accurate information and stay up to date. For example, We have seen how the non-profit organization Kopanang Africa Against Xenophobia together with the spokesperson “Dr Dale Mckinley’’ who also acts as the Public relations of the organization, have raise their voices to  stop misinformation about xenophobia on social media immediately after they have noticed how social media was spreading fake news about the matter. Click here for more information.

·     DISADVANTAGES OF SOCIAL MEDIA FOR PRPs

For Public relations practitioners, Social media can be an unsafe place because of the tension it can cause for being a two way communication channel.  Anyone can say anything about a publication, and this can reach to a personal level and hurt feelings (Cyberbullying). PRPs need to be emotionally strong enough to pursue their career and do what they have to do. If people are bold enough to physically kill others, they can also be bold enough to leave any harmful opinionated comment on social media.


Xenophobia is a very sensitive topic as it deals with lives and has many victims worldwide.

In future,

·        PRPs should be mindful about the advantages and disadvantages of social media while spreading messages and engaging with target audiences. Social media can and can’t be a safe place at the same time. It just depends on how aware the public relations practitioner is.

·         PRPs should not only focus on social media to discuss sensitive matters like #SayNoToXenophobia, but also rely on traditional media to be more heard than engaged in two way communication in which their voices can be stifled.

  • PRPS should analyse carefully how their messages is interpreted by the audience and update information for better understanding.
 #SAYNOTOXENOPHOBIA


Comments

  1. Anonymous23 March 2023 at 05:36

    Well articulated, well done.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Mbali Maselesele23 March 2023 at 05:37

    I completely agree that xenophobia is a sensitive topic that has caused a lot of harm to many people around the world.It's crucial to analyze how audiences interpret messages and update them accordingly for better understanding.





    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous23 March 2023 at 05:42

      Very informative post it proves people hate as a result of fear from different background, culture and nationality. Well all need to be strong and come together

      Delete
    2. Mondo Sarah Mambu23 March 2023 at 06:56

      Yes, that's it.

      Delete
  3. Paballo Phutiyagae23 March 2023 at 05:59

    Using an in-depth analysis of literature as well as social media information, this blog demonstrates how social media acts as a catalyst in bringing together cognitive, environmental, and personal factors to produce xenophobic attitudes and behavior that are mainly based on nativism and nationalism.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Nathan Mashiane23 March 2023 at 06:06

    Well reformed information. I like how you also mentioned that PR professionals should be careful of the information they share and how the audience reciprocates it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mondo Sarah Mambu23 March 2023 at 06:55

      Yes, they should, a Litle mistake can have a huge impact on their reputation

      Delete
  5. Blog about how PRPs use social media and #tags23 March 2023 at 06:19

    well said xenophobic is wrong and should stop

    ReplyDelete
  6. Mondo Sarah Mambu23 March 2023 at 06:55

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous23 March 2023 at 08:11

    useful information thank you

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hunting Bigger Ideas23 March 2023 at 09:30

    I agree with you during times of crisis, such as the widely reported attacks on foreign nationals, disinformation as fake news and hoaxes are frequently shares to further stoke anger, distrust, xenophobia and panic.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mondo Sarah Mambu23 March 2023 at 11:57

      Yes, thanks for mentionning Further examples.

      Delete
  9. Anonymous23 March 2023 at 13:20

    Thank you very much, for this topic about xenophobia.i believe it will be so helpful to all those who are reading.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Tshenolo Mongale23 March 2023 at 14:29

    After reading this article, I gained knowledge on the availability of movements that are against xenophobia which is a good thing because throughout the years people have been promoting xenophobia and nothing was said about it thus, social media is really a great tool in preventing xenophobia and educating people about the harmfulness of xenophobia.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Tafadzwa kupera23 March 2023 at 17:34

    This is a very informative blog , xenophobia has been one of the under estimated topics especially with the combination of social media.i think its also time for people to actually think of using social media in a positive way to stop xenopbobia and encourage people to come together!!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Christy's Corner23 March 2023 at 18:58

    I couldn't have agreed more, social media Plays a vital role in spreading false news about xenophobia, it is this false new that insights violence and hate.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thapelo Neftaly Chabalala24 March 2023 at 01:36

    You are very good at unpacking detail and picking our minds Sarah.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Mondo Sarah Mambu24 March 2023 at 01:37

    Thank you, that's the aim.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous24 March 2023 at 02:25

    This is really an insightful and thoughts provoking topic to be shared in our generation where millennials tend to misuse the social media platform at the expense of PRPs…thumb up

    ReplyDelete

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