Social media good but dangerous - Palmer-Buckle

Social media is a good tool because it helps in disseminating information within a short time, however, it could be dangerous if persons operating it have evil minds, Most Reverend Charles Gabriel Palmer-Buckle, Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra has said.

Speaking in an interview with Chief Jerry Forson, host of Ghana Yensom on Accra100.5FM on Wednesday October 19 on how the country can maintain the peace ahead of the elections, he said: “Social media is a platform given to us by God and if we use it for the purpose it was invented, it will benefit all of us because it allows the messages we give out to reach far audience within a short period of time.”

“And, so, it is good but it is just like a machete. A machete can be used to weed, can be used to farm and do other activities but if the person using it has evil intentions, he can use it to commit a crime, and, so, I will appeal to the general public that if they are writing things on social media for the entire world to read, they should ask themselves whether what they intend to write is the truth.

“Ask yourself, if this matter is written about you, would you like it? If you would not like it then there is no need to write such matters on social media. You should also ask yourself whether what you want to write on social media will bring about peace and prosperity or it will create confusion. You should also ask yourself whether you will be able to stand by what you intend to write on social media if you are held accountable.”

Archbishop Palmer-Buckle added: “Social media is good but the people operating it are what we must pay critical attention to. We will need to be careful with it in order to avert any chaos.”