Assuming that social media is yet to grow completely hence there are certain things over which social media is still struggling to win over; for instance against fake news, emotions understandings etc. Though, I strongly believe that social media is not a threat to democracy at all. I am pretty sure after going through this article, you would agree Blaming social media as threat is as senseless as blaming pamphlets for the French revolution. Even Guttenberg’s printing press was seen as threat by ottomans. Was it a threat? not right! While, Recent achievements for example, “me too” movement, black-lives do matter movement , raising fund for the Kathua gangraped victim in India, do proves that social media is one of the most promising-tool for democracy.
Firstly, it smoothens instant communication during crisis. Covid-19 pandemic is an awesome example. Secondly, Citizens are more engaged with government than ever before, as a consequence they are more informed along-with discussing more about policy and issue that matters. Which brought two positive outcomes: A) government is liable to be more transparent, B) has made audience to believe that hey! Governments are humans too. And this is what democracy ask for right? Thirdly, it does save money. Traditional public outreach is really expensive in contrast to social media as a result it reduces the cost. Which potentially could help government to spend on else important things. Fourthly, social media has brought citizens closer by letting citizens to interact over an issue. For instance, by organizing pole and by letting people to directly comment or make suggestion over an issue.
Now, I would like to clarify some of the unpopular misconception and misinformation regarding social media. People do often make wrong assumption using China as in context. Before internet and social media; China has had only one public voice, the voice of state. Now China with social media is more democratic than ever before. Because now there is explosion of voices. Wechat, a messaging app similar to Whatsapp has more than one-billion user in China. Other than freedom of speech, it has allowed people to organize protest against local corruption, demanding cleaner environment and an effective example is Hongkong protest. Which apparently shows, social media do promote democracy.
Let’s turn to Russia, when you hear about Russia and social media, you may probably think about state sponsored hackers. The story is much bigger than that because in Russia opposition has used social media very effectively to achieve their goals. Alexei Navalny, for example main political opponent, has used the social media to call for larger political protest and even tried to challenge Putin, for president of Russia. Navalny was asked if social media is good for democracy and his answer was resounding yes! Navalny has now more than 6.45 million subscribers on Youtube helping which help him to reach wider section of people for democracy. He told, Without social media only foreign journalists would have known me and situation in Russia would have been more, white and black.
what’s Parody is that fb is being scapegoated for revealing some dark side of India. At the end of the day fb is just a mirror reflecting us. And the mirror has revealed a nation which is deeply divided in terms of religion and caste, susceptible to misinformation, willing to promote lies and spread hate. It’s just a tool, how we use is up-to us. Finally, you need to accept that propaganda, bullying and harassment are hardly a new phenomenon and are not unique to social media. Hence, these platform should not be maligned for the bad behavior of some users. On the other hand, what’s humor? What’s hate? Machine learning is in infancy, we are just a few year back to develop and identify all those things precisely. But like Guttenberg’s printing press which initially was doubted and later on created revolution similarly social media will make us more democratic than ever before.
I would like to close with an analogy when you feel hungry, you know salad and fruits are good for health though you gravitate towards sweets. Like-wise we want productive content but we go for sensational and viral one. Therefore let’s not throw good with bad. I urge you to admit that life without social media would have been the worst. Until it sees maximum growth, let’s educate others and follow the guidelines of government and suggestions of social media. Along with being cautious to social media not getting biased or unfriendly to it’s users. Don’t malign it with few deliberate users. Therefore, have trust in social media, it is making us and would keep strengthening the democracy. Don’t panic please!
Very informative 👍👍