May 28, 2018: The thirteenth radio program as part of Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) counter-radicalization initiative Ulasi Taroon (Social Cohesion) was aired on April 06, 2018, on the topic of “Role of Social Media for Social Cohesion”.
The guest on show Mr. Atta Ullah, journalist and social activist, noted that social media has turned out to be a very powerful tool for strategic communication in the past few years and among all the other forums available for dialogue, it can be the best medium to promote tolerance, acceptance and inclusion. He added that almost 30 million people in Pakistan are daily connected to the internet and social media, but unfortunately, they do not have a sufficient knowledge about the cyber rules and regulations critical to ensure cyber security and privacy. It’s time that the social media users must be educated on the cybercrime laws and to use the medium for peacebuilding. The importance of social media can be judged by the fact that it has now started to dictate and direct the mainstream media. Given the lack of other forums and opportunities for dialogue and voicing their concerns, the social media is of especial significance for youth – as it is the only platform left for them – to clearly express and articulate their views.
The guest on phone, Ms. Nighat Daad, social activist, said that the impact of social media depends upon how we make use of it. The social media by design complements the fundamental human rights of the citizens by providing them freedom of expression and association. These are the basic rights whose practice is well observed on the social media as it provides opportunities for expression, interactive discussion and inclusive dialogue to everyone indiscriminately. With the positive and vigilant use of social media, the youth can create an alternative positive narrative against intolerance and extremist attitudes in the society. They just need to look beyond its conventional use for individual purposes and aim for a more connected future by utilizing it to create content and networks critical for social cohesion.
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 and FATA 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 fostering social cohesion and peaceful co-existence.