Effect Of Digital Diplomacy In International Relations: Lessons For Sri Lanka To Mitigate Negative Coverage Of Security And Human Rights Situations After 2009

Kodagoda Janaka Ranaweera, Prof. Dr.Makarim Wibisono, MSc, Budi Pramono

Abstract


The main objectives of this study were to analyze the reasons for Sri Lanka’s low adoption of DD to mitigate the dissemination of fake news regarding the security and human rights situation on social media by pro-LTTE Tamil Diaspora groups and NSAs and to analyze how the use of DD can be improved to effectively mitigate dissemination of fake news regarding the security and human rights situation on social media by pro-LTTE Tamil diaspora groups and NSAs. The research method adopted was qualitative, while the research design adopted was a case study design. In this case study, Findings from the study revealed that low adoption of DD to mitigate the dissemination of fake news regarding the security and human right situation in the country on social media by pro-LTTE Tamil diaspora groups and NSAs sympathetic to the Tamil cause is due to financial, employment-related, policy-related, and political reasons. Further, findings from the study indicate that DD in Sri Lanka can be improved in several ways to mitigate the fake news disseminated regarding the security and human rights situation in the country by pro-LTTE Tamil diaspora groups and NSAs on social media. These strategies include rolling out DD in stages across the Foreign Ministry network, implementing a change management program to overcome employee resistance to the adoption of DD, providing employees extensive DD training, implementing a standardized DD policy in the Foreign Ministry, and conducting awareness campaigns to educate political leaders on the advantages of DD over traditional diplomacy in protecting and enhancing the image and reputation of the country.


Keywords


Digital Diplomacy, Security, Human Rights, Non state actors

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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.52155/ijpsat.v37.1.5062

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