Social media is definitely not the new tool to fight the war on terror as it simply helps to raise global awareness thanks to the proliferation of smartphones. An addition of a hashtag simply brings a particular issue into the realm of social media, however, beyond this point, social media does little to actually solve the problem. In the case of Boko Haram, the 276 girls were kidnapped on April 14, however, the news remained on a low profile until April 23 when Oby Ezekwesili, vice president of the World Bank for Africa, gave a speech in Nigeria in which she strongly urged the Nigerian Government to intervene and ‘bring back the girls’. Nigerian twitter users subsequently began repeating her call and adopted the hashtag and it began trending globally. It is worth noting that even after nearly 50 days, the girls have still not been rescued and Boko Haram continuea with killings and bombings in Nigeria. Social media can only succeed in generating awareness and cooperation between countries. In this case, the US Government is sending a team of military officials and hostage negotiators to Nigeria to help assist in the recovery efforts. To put things in perspective, Boko Haram kidnapped a smaller group of school girls last week. However unlike the April 14 kidnapping, this incident was widely and rapidly reported by the international media outlets.To reiterate, social media cannot prevent any acts of terror. What it can do, is to raise global awareness about such acts of terror. This way, various governments responsible for preventing such terror attacks can become proactive and try to nip them in the bud. Posting ‘bring back our girls’ does only make a difference in terms of spreading awareness and future prevention of such attacks.
From Mr Amitabh Saxena
Indian manager based in Dubai
I disagree that social media is the new tool to fight the war on terror as it cannot solely solve it. However, it is definitely a tool to be used alongside other means of fighting the war on terror. Social media is a perfect tool to use in order to raise global awareness and shine a light on issues that may or may not be highlighted in the international arena. However, in some cases, topics may blow out of proportion which can be positive and negative, but in the case of Boko Haram it is good. Social media is not taking over the job of the international community, but it definitely succeeds where international governance has failed as the awareness that it raises does actually make a difference. Posting ‘bring back our girls’ may not directly make a difference but doing something is better than doing nothing. The fact that people all around the world unite to spread awareness about these girls proves that social media is a strong tool in terms of uniting people from all around the world to support one cause. Various leaders have joined the quest to help the Nigerian government to bring back the girls, but sometimes words are stronger than actions and since the girls are not back yet, we will have to rely on social media to pressure Boko Haram to actually bring them back.
From Mr Hamad Al Marzouqi
Emirati business management graduate based in Brisbane, Australia
While Social media did invite mass attention to the crisis, we cannot place the burden of addressing and resolving issues like these on its rather young shoulders. Online campaigns through social media mean nothing to Boko Haram. If anything, social media gave the radical group publicity through re-posts of their videos that reiterate their terror motives and ideology. The hashtags and status sharing do not seem to have put any additional pressure on the Nigerian government to act in resolving the crisis. They did and continue to do what they possibly can. They are after all their girls. But then why do we take to social media? This is one platform where ‘Demonstration Effect’ is very evident. Sharing and liking such popular issues from liberal and intellectual walls makes one appear as politically conscious, gender sensitive and socially committed. So most of the times (there are of course exceptions) the motive – intentionally or not- is to manufacture an image for oneself than wanting to influence or bring about any real change. As soon as another more popular tweet or ‘trending’ link is posted, this issue is cached into our memory, perhaps never to resurface. There is also the issue of selective campaigning. Moreover, such posts do give us a vicarious satisfaction that we have ‘acted’ and served our duty as a social being. This passive participation has its own perils. This does not however undermine the medium’s ability to gather public opinion. Just like activist journalism has brought many issues to the forefront and has forced authorities to act, social media may in the coming decades emerge as a tool effecting change. But in its current form it cannot succeed where international governance has seemingly failed. This is because the campaigners and their transient audience lack required commitment and collective conscience to take an issue through to its desired end.
From Ms Priya M Nair
Indian marketing and communications professional based in Abu Dhabi
Social media has become a prominent tool to raise collective opinions of people. Earlier, governments had no way to gauge general public mood or sentiments. But with the advent of social media, it has become easy for people to have their voice heard and for the government to act accordingly. However, social media is still not considered a genuine platform and viewed with suspicion by some governments or completely banned and heavily monitored in some countries. The ultimate decision to act on terror resides with the respective governments. Social media is not succeeding but it can definitely bring in some changes in the system and governments do support innovation. Social media by nature is often a political and focused in solving short term needs but fails with long term goals. Even if we get Boko Haram to release those poor girls, what guarantee do we have that they will not try to do the same thing again? The real goal here should be to release those girls and completely eliminate Boko Haram. Posting pictures on Facebook will definitely make a difference. It can help in highlighting the situation with today’s Facebook generation, who usually do not have time to read newspapers. It can also help publicise an issue in a positive way to highlight the plight of the kidnapped girls and spread the word. This in turn will convince authorities to do something about it.
From Mr Aravind Vijaya Kumar
Indian flight operations controller based in Dubai
Facebook comments:
Social media that is censored and can land you in jail is not a good way to voice your true opinion. Until the truth can be told without the fear of arrest, social media will never be the best way to express yourself.
From Mr Dustin Watchman
Dubai
No, but we can still try it as an option. We can at least realise how effective these social medias are and how many people are really concerned.
From Ms Archana Sen
Abu Dhabi
No difference, it is just a publicity stunt if you want to bring them back, then do something practical.
From Mr Nom Kureshi
Dubai
I really don’t see how fighting over the social media would help this cause? Where are all the muslim countries and why don’t they speak up?
From Ms Mahwish Jawed
UAE
It’s not about victory, rather about humanity. The actions of Boko Haram are against human rights and religion as well. You cannot use people in your war of defending a certain ideology. Every single point to defend Boko Haram is unjustified.
From Mr Ghulam Nabi Karimi
Sharjah
-Compiled by Donia Jenabzadeh/Community Web Editor
