Odisha plans social media policy to modernize government communication

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has announced plans to formulate a social media policy for the state following an orientation program for Odisha Information Service (OIS) officers. During his keynote address, Majhi revealed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi monitors the social media usage of various state chief ministers and provided him with a comparative chart detailing their effectiveness on platforms like Instagram and X.

Majhi noted that some smaller states are currently outperforming Odisha in digital engagement. He emphasized the need for the government to adopt modern trends, including artificial intelligence and visual storytelling, to reach younger demographics who favor digital platforms over traditional media.

The orientation session, which included insights from Prof. Anand Pradhan of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, focused on transitioning from legacy press releases to video-first communication and AI-driven ecosystems. Discussions also addressed the challenges of the digital age, such as deepfakes, misinformation, and the necessity of rapid verification to maintain public trust.