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Digital diplomacy: Learn from neighbors
Apart from Jokowi’s vlog, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi has also underlined the importance of digital instruments in today’s diplomacy.
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A still from President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's vlog. Prior to his vlog with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Jokowi also posted a video featuring Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday and Saudi Arabian King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud during the latter's visit to Indonesia. (President Joko Widodo's YouTube/File)
"For us, Indonesians are our brothers and sisters. Very noble people.” The above statement from King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud was made during a lunch time conversation with President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, during the King’s first visit to Indonesia, which appeared in the President’s vlog (video blog).
Through digital instruments and social media, presidents, governments and diplomats simply bypass the old hierarchy of diplomacy. Audiences can be closer to their leaders, while vlogs change the paradigm of old diplomacy regarding discretion and secrecy. But have we really considered digital instruments as part of our diplomacy?
For Indonesia, awareness of digital diplomacy seems to be positive. Apart from Jokowi’s vlog, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi has also underlined the importance of digital instruments in today’s diplomacy. In August 2016, international research organization Diplomacy Live recognized Retno’s speech as the Best Foreign Minister Speech of The Year.
Digital diplomacy is the use of information and communication technologies to fulfill the state’s foreign policy goals. However, according to Digital Diplomacy Review 2016, Indonesia ranks 37th in digital assets used by the countries’ foreign affairs ministries for digital diplomacy. Indonesia still lags far behind other countries, including India, which ranked seventh out of 210 countries.
Traditionally, diplomacy limits the possibility of information sharing. Nowadays, states use as many digital platforms as possible to spread information.
Indonesia uses at least 10 digital platforms, including Twitter, Android app, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and government websites. India has at least 17 digital platforms including Twitter, Android app and App store, its government websites, Soundcloud, Flickr, Periscope, Instagram, YouTube and Facebook in supporting its diplomacy.
The observation shows that Twitter is the most preferred digital platform used by foreign affairs ministries, including that of Indonesia.
