We have to applaud many of the candidates running in the 22
May general election for embracing social media to help them campaign.
A few – and not so young – candidates have even included all
of their social media contact information in their advertising from websites to
blogs, BBM, Twitter and Facebook addresses. We say not so young because social
media is more readily embraced by younger people the world over. In many cases,
those 50 and older can’t be bothered.
From what we’ve seen, a majority of the candidates and their
supporters are using social media tools in a positive and informative manner.
But there are some using these “new tools” to spread
misinformation, slander and outright lies. Those who “like” or “share” this bad
information are just as culpable, in our humble opinion, as the original poster
in attempting to spread rumour and innuendo.
The political rhetoric in the Cayman Islands can always be contentious,
but it gets especially rancourous near election time.
Social media is just giving another platform, or layer, for
political stumping.
Just as in all utterances made by politicians and the
candidates who seek to replace them, those on the receiving end should use all
information and tools available to them to separate the wheat from the chaff.
But social media isn’t just about those campaigning for
elected office.
Social media users can use tools such as Facebook and
Twitter to ask candidates their stance on the issues that most influence their
lives.
As in all campaign rhetoric, the receiver, and ultimately
the voter, must listen with an open mind and separate misinformation from the
truth.
At the end of the day, it is incumbent on the 18,000-plus
registered voters to go to the polls armed with the best and most honest
information they can get about each and every candidate.
We have an opportunity to improve the Cayman Islands
politically and socially in the upcoming election.
Social media is another way we can become more and better
informed.
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