Digitizing #PublicReach: How Indian Government Leverages Social Media Presence for Government Communication

Abstract

This study investigates how the Indian government in 2017 uses social media to reach out to Indian citizens online. The study additionally analyzes how the Indian government leverages its digital presence to engage with Indian online users. The research assumes that social media is an effective tool for reaching the masses as it allows policymakers to reach their voters and constituents directly with their agenda without the perils of the media’s gatekeeping that sometimes carries the potential risk of distorting the message.

The study investigates the following research question: How is the Indian government using social media to reach out to Indian citizens online with its agenda and development plans?

The findings of the study show that the Indian government is a frequent user of social media for disseminating news and updates about its activities and development plans. The study also observes that use of social media by the Indian Ministers and their respective ministries has become institutionalized.