Social media becomes political soapbox

Ever since the Future bloc leader Saad Hariri began engaging with followers on Twitter, social media platforms have turned into a soapbox, not only for communication purposes, but also for political work. They are now a main source of statements and stances from Lebanese politicians      

Hariri’s statements that generated a heated debate raise questions on whether these stances are considered as official statements.        

The Twitter hype has not yet spread very widely in the field of Lebanese politicians who were, until this moment, only active on Facebook.        

For about a week now, the Lebanese media has turned to Twitter for political stances, as former PM Hariri communicates almost every day with his followers from 6 pm (local time). Although Hariri’s debut on Twitter has drawn heavy media coverage, other politicians have certainly been active on Twitter before him.      

In fact, the first Lebanese politician to have a Twitter account was PM Najib Mikati, followed by President Michel Sleiman, House Speaker Nabih Berri, as well as Lebanese Forces leader Dr. Samir Geagea.      

But many have yet to join the party. Politicians like National Struggle Front leader MP Walid Jumblatt and Change and Reform bloc leader MP Michel Aoun do not yet have Twitter accounts; whether this is to their benefit or detriment, only time will tell.