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How social media has become the new power and game changer for social movements was the focal point of a recent fireside chat in Jos, Plateau State. Digital technology in the 21st century has redefined social and political engagements; and the internet is increasingly proving to be the powerbase of a new generation of young thinkers who are redefining social structures, politics and mass mobilisation, discussants at the fireside chat submitted.
Cirfat Job David Mohammed David Fanap
Organised by SMSGAfrica with the theme: social movements and the use of social media for social impact, the event is “geared to empower participants with information and resources needed to be able to drive social movements while leveraging on social media,” said promoter Mr. Ayuba Job David. The SMSGAfrica is a social intervention initiative of Tomruk iHub Multiverse, co-founded by Job David.
Discussants at the event include: Director-General Plateau State Information and Communication Development Agency (PICTDA), Mr. Daser David; Co-founder Tomruk iHub Multiverse, Teyei Joel; Founder, Women in Leadership Initiative, Maryam Mohammed; and Broadcast Journalist at Jay FM, Ponsah Fanap.
Moderated by Team Lead SMSGAfrica, Mr. Nankpak Cirfat, Discussants agreed that it had become every stakeholders’ business including governments to get involved more in social media and leverage the platform to better improve government-citizens relationship.
For Joel, social movements are an organized gathering of individuals and groups who either want to express discontents or desire to push for clear and specific agenda that may be economical, social and political. Social media is a game changer for social movements as it presents an open and participatory platform, added Joel.
From a government perspective, Mr. David agreed on the need for more openness in leveraging the social media as a tool for information and engagements. However, there is always the need to have an identified source of information, and verifiable means of establishing the authenticity of such information in the ever-present danger of fake news.
The PICTDA’s boss believe social or political changes can be promoted through social media and as internet becomes more ubiquitous in the face of crashing prices of smart devices, it has become imperative to ensure that agenda are not narcissistic or clearly intended to cause social chaos.
Communication among social movements can be effect through social media which will help foster the achievement of the goals and aims of the movements, said David. But such goals must be well defined, not narrowed and in the interest of the larger community, he added.
On regulation of the social media, Mr. Fanap agreed that government could have some form of regulation but ultimately, it is the technology companies that should self-regulate their platforms as there was always the inherent risk that government will always desire to muscle opposing views.
Ms. Mohammed added that administrators of social media groups should also regulate the kind of profiles allowed into the groups and also have some rules to guild in the sharing of content on the platforms.
While thanking speakers and participants at the event, Job David advised that government should use relevant ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to teach young people how to use social media responsibly.
The event drew participation from the government, CSOs, private sector and the academia The fire chat was supported by IT Edge News, Compunent and African Languages Hub.
