Speaker Moses Wetang'ula addressing fellow speakers and presiding officers at the conference in India, January 15, 2026. /PARLIAMENTNational Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has urged Members of Parliament to build resilience in the face of relentless social media scrutiny, warning that unchecked digital noise can weaken legislative focus and undermine parliamentary authority.
While also acknowledging its role in enhancing transparency, accountability and direct engagement with citizens, the speaker described social media as a double-edged sword for legislators.
He noted that a single post or tweet can ignite widespread controversy within minutes, making it difficult to contain the fallout once public debate spirals out of control.
Against this backdrop, the speaker challenged Members of Parliament to cultivate both strength and discernment when dealing with online criticism.
“Should Members develop a strong backbone? Yes, in the sense that legitimate scrutiny is part of public life. But strength also lies in knowing which criticism deserves engagement and which noise should be ignored. Not every provocation requires a response. Not every trend requires participation,” he said.
He stressed that restraint is not a sign of weakness, but an essential leadership quality in an era where reaction is often rewarded more than reflection.
Speaker Wetang’ula spoke on Thursday, January 15, during the official opening of the Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth, currently underway in New Delhi, India.
Speaker Moses Wetang'ula addressing fellow speakers and presiding officers at the conference in India, January 15, 2026. /PARLIAMENT
Senate Speaker Amason Kingi and fellow speakers arrive for the opening ceremony of the speakers conference in India, January 15, 2026. /PARLIAMENT
Orderlies escort attendees for the opening ceremony of the Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth, currently underway in New Delhi, India. /PARLIAMENT
The conference, which was officially opened by India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, brings together parliamentary leaders to review ways of strengthening cooperation and democratic governance across Commonwealth legislatures.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing the conference. /PARLIAMENT
Speakers Conference in session
Attendees of the Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth, currently underway in New Delhi, India. /PARLIAMENT
Addressing fellow speakers and presiding officers, Wetang'ula said the digital age has fundamentally altered how parliamentary work is perceived and judged, with proceedings now subjected to instant, continuous and often unfiltered public commentary.
He cautioned that while social media has expanded access to parliamentary processes, it has also created an environment where misinformation, misinterpretation and deliberate provocation can spread rapidly, sometimes with damaging consequences.
Social media, he said, should not be weaponised to intimidate or harass Members of Parliament, noting that such behaviour erodes their ability to discharge their constitutional responsibilities effectively.
He warned that once false narratives gain traction in a highly charged digital space, correcting them becomes significantly more difficult.
“For parliamentarians, this is not merely a communications challenge. It affects personal safety, legislative focus, and the capacity of Parliament to deliberate without intimidation,” the Speaker said, underscoring the broader implications of online hostility.
Speaker Moses Wetang'ula addressing the conference, January 15, 2026. /PALIAMENT
He added that for presiding officers, the rise of social media raises complex questions about how to safeguard the integrity and dignity of parliamentary processes while still respecting the public’s right to participate in democratic discourse.
In this context, he observed, democracy is being watched more closely than ever, placing greater responsibility on parliamentary leaders to ensure that what the public sees reflects seriousness, discipline and purpose.
“Social media is a double-edged sword for parliamentarians. On one hand, it is a powerful tool for direct engagement, transparency and accountability. On the other, it amplifies misunderstandings, misinterpretations and polarisation,” he said.
Speaker Moses Wetang'ula arrives for the official opening of the Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth, currently underway in New Delhi, India, January 15, 2026. /PARLIAMENT
Speaker Moses Wetang'ula and his Senate counterpart Amason Kingi at the Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth, in New Delhi, India, January 15, 2026. /PARLIAMENT
On the sidelines of the conference, Speaker Wetang’ula held an engagement with Prime Minister Modi, during which he acknowledged India’s democratic resilience and its role in driving national growth.
He said the Prime Minister reaffirmed India’s commitment to the Commonwealth’s Sustainable Development Goals, which target key sectors including health, climate change, economic growth and innovation, all aimed at fostering inclusive and progressive development across member states.
The speaker said the discussions reinforced the importance of strong institutions and principled leadership at a time when democratic systems worldwide are under increasing pressure from both internal and external forces.
Senate Speaker Amason Kingi and his National Assembly counterpart Moses Wetang'ula on the sidelines of the speakers conference in India, January 15, 2026. /PARLIAMENT
Senate Speaker Amason Kingi and India's Prime Minister Nerandra Modi on the sidelines of the speakers conference in India, January 15, 2026. /PARLIAMENT
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