Social media for govt interaction discussed

Lt-General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, met Dubai Executive Council Secretary-General Abdulla Al Shaibani on Tuesday and reviewed the policy of using social networks in the government of Dubai, and the responsible, safe and effective use of these tools.

Abdulla Al Shaibani and Lt-Gen Dhahi Khalfan at the meeting held in Dubai.

Lt-Gen Dhahi Khalfan was briefed by Dr Hamad Al Hammadi, Director of the Department for Dubai Executive Council Affairs, on the internal survey about the viability of using the social networking sites, which several government entities have come to use as channels of interaction with the public. Dr Al Hammadi said most of the government and private bodies, if not all, lack a guidebook to help them maximise the benefit of these tools, and stave off their potential risk.

He added that the policy of using social networking in the government of Dubai provides directives and general instructions for the use of social networks and specific portal websites such as Facebook and Twitter.

The project will help those in charge of the departments to determine priorities, increase the standards of satisfaction, and thereby boost the opportunities of success of the outcome of the policies of the government departments.

The meeting was attended by Brig Mohammed Saad Al Sharif, Director of the Organisational Office of Dubai Police HQ; Butti Ahmed bin Darwish Al Falasi, Director of the Security Media Department at the Dubai Police; and Ghaith Al Siri, Director of Government Communication Department at the Dubai Executive Council.