Social media is a tool that enhances freedom of speech. And like you all know, everyone's right is meant to be respected. This is why the United Nations charter promulgated that the infringement on other people's rights could be culpable.
From the above, you will know that expression is one of those rights that individuals have the liberty to use but in the most appropriate manner. The rule of law equally gives everyone this opportunity by stating categorically that everyone is equal before the law.
There are limitations to every law in society. The limitations vary from time to time and place to place. But the idea of dismissing someone because of their expression on social media should not be a big issue.
First, an organization is responsible for providing a handbook of dos and don'ts for employees to guide their behaviour in the public sphere. This handbook is what we refer to codes and conducts for civil servants, as a case study. Here, a civil servant is trained to ensure continuity in governance and administration. They are not allowed to release certain information to the public except ordered by the organizational high structure. If you look closely, the characteristics of civil service include impartiality, anonymity, neutrality, permanence and so on.
Hence, when an organization has clearly stated that information that pertains to the day to day activity of the organization should be released to the public, it becomes binding on all employees to keep to the rule.
In any case, when an employee errs by breaking this rule, then he should be made to face the warrant. And if dismissal is to be the punishment for such unwanted display of unprofessionalism, then so be it.
On the other hand, I am of the view that social media has some menacing effect on people but the truth is that social-media allows individuals to connect with like-minded people, form communities and engage in meaningful discussions. It is through social media that barrier of reaching people from far away, with different culture and thoughts have been broken and the entire world now meet in a global village. This is something that should be applauded and not be undermined.
If there is any organization that wants to suppress the voices of the employee, that could be a pointer to the fact that the organization has a lot of secrets that they do not want the public to know. And some of those secrets may be against the employees in the area of welfare and whatnot.
It is through social media that we have been able to amplify the voices of the marginalised. To, people like VeryDarkMan have been able to bring to limelight the ugly incidents that are perpetuated in public offices and this done through social media.
What seems to be hidden are now easily revealed through social media because of the low level censorship. I can proudly say that we have learned about other people's particular situations other than generalizing it.
The drive for social change is greatly spearheaded by social media. Through social media, the world has stood or raised awareness for social justice and mobilizing collective action. This is in effort to bring about positive change and to promote positive and progressive change.