Social media here to stay
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: November 03, 2022 -

Regardless of Information and Public Relations (IPR) minister Dr Sapam Ranjan expressing serious concern over circulation of fake news and urging the traditional media fraternity to filter sensitive reports, it seems that putting a complete halt to use of social media platforms by the keyboard warriors for spreading unverified information would be an uphill task.

No doubt, journalists and media houses have been taking utmost care to ensure that only authentic information reach the public domain but there is no guarantee that such an effort would be able to prevent misuse of the social media platforms by rumour mongers or any unscrupulous elements for advent of the internet has brought to the fore both positive and negative aspects of the fastest medium of mass communication in all parts of the world.

For instance, about a decade back, an infant social media almost brought about democratic revolutions in countries such as Egypt, Iran and Tunisia, by connecting people and allowing exchange of ideas in unprecedented ways.

Though timely acts and restrictive policies formulated by the respective governments managed to quell the voices of dissent in these countries, there has been no stopping the growing number of social media users, be they involved in incitement or sending sane messages to calm restive situation.

Another classic case of the influence of social media was evident during the recent US presidential election when allegations were rife about Russian interference, which signified that such threats to democratic exercises aren't confined to national boundaries but manipulative intentions may be outside as well as within a country.

As it grows in its reach, influence and sophistication, misuse of social media in particular in many ways, is indeed posing a challenge to the functioning of democratic institutions,and creating headache for countries which are yet to formulate an apt response to intentional abuse of information technology.

From individual privacy, large data breaches to social manipulation, the charges against social media have been multiplying.

With the number of internet users in Manipur too increasing by leaps and bounds it is but natural to experience both positive and negative aspects of social media.

The looming threat posed to social and administrative set-ups could also be comprehended from the Election Commission of India (ECI) issuing dos and don'ts apart from undertaking awareness campaigns when elections are round the corner.

As part of the precautionary measures, the ECI organises workshops for poll officers, appoints cyber security nodal officers and conducts security audits of poll-related applications and websites, thereby implying that the modern avatar of digital manipulations don't coerce one physically, but allows anyone anywhere to easily spread misinformation and affect the outcome.

On the brighter side, easy-to-access smartphones and social media are allowing previously excluded people to participate in the public debate, and forcing elites to take notice.

It's now quite common to see that politicians, who shun the public after winning electoral battles, become more polite and mix with their potential voters, eating with poor people, hugging them and taking selfies few months before fresh elections, while voters are emboldened to challenge politicians and question their past performance and credibility as future representatives.

Thus, contemporary society shall have to live with both negative and positive implications of internet and social media platforms.