The 123rd radio program as part of the Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) counter-radicalization initiative Ulasi Taroon (Social Cohesion) aired on the subject theme.
The program discussed the role of social media in cultivating social cohesion among the communities, given how it has proved to be a game changer in terms of public outreach and dissemination of all sorts of information.
The first guest on show, Mr. Riaz Ghafoor, Assistant Director Information, Local government Department, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, noted that freedom of media is an essentially for the development and growth of democracy. It helps holding the system of governance accountable and resultantly improves critical public services delivery. Rampant social media misuse and information available without credible sources calls for citizen’s critical evaluation through the course of their social media usage.
Social media literacy is need of the hour where the users should be sensitized on its exceptional potential for positive purposes given the incredible outreach and user base of the platform. It should also be used to promote tolerance perspectives and mobilization for the other objectives of communal concern.
It is the responsibility of media houses to provide news and information to the citizens in a dispassionate and impartial way, while also being conscious of the sensitivities living in the society.
Ms. Muska Safi, CRSS’s Ulasi Taroon alumna shared that the role of media has expanded to assist the government by highlighting the gaps in the core services delivery and other issues of public concern. The youth – as a major user of social media – should utilize this platform for social development purposes and disseminate positive messages, to delegitimize extremism; both online and offline.
Participation in CRSS’s Ulasi Taroon workshop familiarized me with the ideals of social cohesion and virtues of acceptance and coexistence. Especially, I learned that despite differences, how important is it to respect others’ opinions, as a precondition for harmonious society.
The third guest on the phone, Mr. Iftikhar Firdous, a senior journalist, noted that the public must understand the seriousness of their online roles while using social media. Every little instance of consideration or insensitivity, can have consequences; good or bad.
About Ulasi Taroon
Ulasi Taroon is a counter radicalization initiative of Center for Research and Security Studies that aims to address the radicalization challenges, extremist ideologies and foster social cohesion through a discourse anchored in the core constitutional values which are fundamentally essential prerequisites for social peace and harmony. The endeavor aims to cultivate and sensitize the people of KP in the core values in the Pakistani constitution and our social contract. It’s an attempt to highlight the criticality of abiding by these ideals – such as adherence to rule of law, primacy and sanctity of constitution, equal citizenry, responsible citizenship, respect for fundamental human rights, tolerance for diversity and different opinions, inclusive democracy and good governance – as a measure of strengthening social cohesion and promoting peaceful co-existence.