In defence of Twitter

The popular social media platform has been under attack but it still has an important role

Twitter has recently been under fire. Nureldine / AFP

When Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, announced changes to the structure of the federal Government this week, he chose a platform that would be direct and accessible: Twitter. The event was a testament to the reach of the social media platform in the UAE and across the region.

Twitter has recently been under fire because its new user base is not growing and the company has proposed changes to its timeline from a chronological ordering to one based on an algorithm similar to Facebook. Some analysts have argued that Twitter is more difficult to use than other platforms and, as such, it must change to stay competitive. But this is not true.

Twitter has an important and unique place among social media platforms. In the Middle East in particular, it provides a popular and constructive way for people to engage with each other. Let Twitter have its niche and continue to be a space for public debate.