The risks and rewards of Twitter diplomacy

When the US embassy in Cairo tweeted about the popular American satire programme The Daily Show, Egypt's presidential Twitter feed accused the US diplomats of meddling in Egypt's domestic affairs.

The incident was only the latest episode in the trials of Twitter diplomacy.

Over the past few years diplomats have taken to social media, ushering in a new era of accessibility to average citizens.

Foreign ministries have encouraged diplomats to become more effective social media users by engaging in conversation. But it can backfire.

The BBC looks at how and why diplomacy is one of the last frontiers of social media.

Additional photo/video: Getty Images, Associated Press and British Pathe