Social media distracts from legislation
A report by the think tank Justitia titled ‘Challenges in the legislative process’ reveals that the increasing use of social media by members of the Danish parliament is consuming their time and attention, detracting from their legislative responsibilities. Based on an analysis of bills and interviews with current and former parliamentarians, the report highlights that few actually read legislation thoroughly. The trend of insufficient time permeates legislative work with overlapping meetings and multiple spokesperson roles. Justitia’s director, Birgitte Arent Eiriksson, stresses that an efficient, transparent, and rigorous legislative process is vital for the integrity of a democratic legal system. Missteps can undermine public trust and belief in problem-solving at Christiansborg. To address these issues, Justitia recommends establishing an independent law council to assess the quality of proposals and possibly advise members of the parliament.