Developing a Conceptual Model on Public Engagement Through the Government Social Media in Malaysia

Abstract

With social media, the government can interact with the public directly without the aid of media gatekeepers like journalists and producers. Therefore, most governments take initiatives in the e-government on social media to enhance public engagement to cultivate the public's confidence and trust in the government. This paper aims to develop a new model for explaining public engagement and government social media, which could expand the body of knowledge on public engagement on government social media in the communication field from a Malaysian's standpoint. The proposed model comprises e-government adoption, perceived content, and social media usage, with the mediating effect of gratification that could influence public engagement on the government's social media.