DAR ES SALAAM, Aug. 12 -- AS Tanzania approaches its forthcoming general elections, the political temperature is rising and not only in parliament or at campaign rallies, but also across social media platforms, which have increasingly become the publics arena for political discourse.

What ought to be a space for serious, informed debate about national priorities has, regrettably, devolved into a cacophony of personality-driven commentary, speculative gossip and often, vitriolic exchanges.

While the democratisation of expression via digital platforms is to be welcomed, it comes with responsibilities.

Instead of substantive discussions on policies, governance and development, much of the online discourse appears fixated on the personalit...