‘Here one moment, gone the next’ : a framework for liquid communication generated through social media platforms in the Botswana public sector

• Published in: South African journal of information management 2019, Vol.21 (1), p.1-11
• Main Authors: Ngoepe, Mpho, Mosweu, Tshepho
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Access to information; Accountability; Archives & records; Botswana; Communication; Computer Science, Information Systems; Digital preservation; Electronic government; Government archives; Government communications systems; Information governance; Information management; Information policies; Information Science & Library Science; Information technology; Liquid communication; Management; Public sector; Records management; Social media; Social networks; Social research; User behavior
• ISSN: 2078-1865; 1560-683X; 1560-683X
• DOI: 10.4102/sajim.v21i1.1080

Background: In Botswana, the public sector has been fully active in utilising social media platforms as part of the e-government programme, thereby generating liquid communication in the process. The content in social media platforms, which is referred to as liquid communication, is so fluid that its management becomes a challenge. This is so because one moment a post is available on a social media platform and the next moment it disappears. The unstable nature of liquid communication calls for its governance according to established national and international records management principles.Objectives: This study utilised the principles of information governance of the Association of Records Managers and Administrators (ARMA) as a theoretical framework to examine how liquid communication generated through social media platforms is governed by the Botswana government.Method: Qualitative data were collected through document analysis and interviews with officials from government departments concerned with the management of information.Results: The study revealed that despite the active presence on social media by the Government of Botswana in communicating with the public, there is a lack of a framework to govern liquid communication. This resulted in weak accountability, protection, compliance, transparency and integrity, as well as retention and disposition for governance of liquid communication.Conclusion: The study concludes by arguing that failure to manage and preserve liquid communication would result in a loss of digital heritage for the country. A framework for liquid communication governance in the Botswana public sector is suggested.