Political Ethics in the Digital Era: A Literature Study on Politicians Communication on Social Media
Keywords:
social media, political communication, ethics, disinformation, hate speech, digital campaigning, democracyAbstract
This literature study comprehensively examines the ethical principles of political communication on social media, identifying core values such as honesty, fairness, accountability, and empathy as essential normative frameworks for maintaining healthy democratic discourse. However, the research reveals that practical implementation is severely hindered by massive and diverse systemic violations, including disinformation, hate speech, personal attacks, and the manipulative use of bots and algorithms that deliberately amplify social polarization. These ethical breaches are driven by a complex interplay of individual ambition, technological designs that prioritize sensationalism over substance, and weak regulatory enforcement. Ultimately, the study concludes that such violations represent more than just isolated incidents; they pose a significant threat to the long-term stability of democracy itself. Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive, multilevel approach that integrates stricter legal regulations, institutional codes of conduct, and robust public digital literacy programs to effectively restore the integrity of digital political engagement and ensure a more constructive, inclusive, and transparent public sphere.
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