SOCIAL MEDIA AS AN INSTRUMENT FOR ACCOUNTABILITY IN MUNICIPAL LEGISLATIVE OFFICES

Abstract

The digital transformation that has occurred in recent decades has significantly modified the ways in which political representatives communicate with society. Within the municipal legislative branch, social media has come to play a relevant role in disseminating parliamentary activities and providing accountability for the mandate. In this context, this study aims to analyze the use of social networks as an instrument of transparency and accountability in the exercise of the municipal legislative mandate. This is a qualitative research study, based on bibliographic and documentary review, with analysis of legal doctrine, scientific articles available in databases such as SciELO and Google Scholar, as well as relevant Brazilian legislation, especially the 1988 Federal Constitution and the Access to Information Law. The study addresses the constitutional foundations of public transparency, the distinction between institutional and political communication, as well as the legal limits related to the principles of public administration. The challenges and risks of digital communication carried out by public agents are also analyzed, especially regarding the prohibition of personal promotion. It is concluded that social media can be an important tool for bringing representatives and citizens closer together, contributing to the strengthening of participatory democracy and social control, provided it is used ethically, transparently, and in a legally sound manner.