Use of Social Media and Blogs by Federal Authorities in Russia: Regulation and Policy

Extreme popularity of social media and blogs makes public authorities and officers become their actives users. Recently adopted legal and policy documents in Russia recommend using social networks and other based on web 2.0 technology services to promote open government initiatives, increase citizen's participation and trust in government. The more detailed analysis of the existing regulation of the use of social media and blogs reveals the need for its further improvement in case when they are used for public purposes. The authors seek to illustrate the current tendencies in the use of social media and blogs by federal authorities in Russia and to suggest several legal issues. The main obstacle is the lack of clear legal provisions concerning the objectives for public use of social media.