A Medium for War, or Peace?

Freedom of Speech; or a tool for offence?

Living in the 21st century, today, we have created a war which we’re fighting ourselves. These wars and treaties of peace are backed by our beliefs, opinions, anger, mistrust or thinking. We are consistently pushing ourselves to our limits in order to be heard and our voices expressed. While on this path for self expression; have we truly lost ourselves or are you joining hands with those who have similar beliefs and opinions? Let’s begin a debate.

Social Media in Pakistan 

The freedom of the media in Pakistan has been hard-fought and hard-won over the decades and, arguably, the challenges the industry faces today from the state and certain elements of society are comparable to some of the worst crises of the past.

Together, the media must fight off attempts to maim, muzzle and mutilate it. Yet, a strong, credible and honest media must also address the problems within the industry, especially when those problems threaten the core mission of bringing news, information and analysis to the public.

The Social Media has become powerful to the extent that it has become an agent of change; good and bad. Forums like facebook, twitter, instagram, snapchat, and many more, flock together to form seperate groups of thinkers, politicians, amateaurs and people from different walks of life. You name it and there it is on the social media websites.

What is freedom? The liberty and the right to speak out freely. Everyone should have freedom of speech, which applies to social media. But, at what cost? 

The Solution

Hate speech has become one the key reasons why social media has faced many criticism in the context of “Freedom of Speech.” Cases regarding blasphemy are witnessed openly and the offender are unable to be located or held accountable for. Then again, the long chain of command leaves a question mark on the regulation of social media. We cannot deprive our generation by keeping them away from social media, but then again can we expose them to violence and hate speech under the banner of “freedom“?

It’s a one for one game. There are drawbacks and advantages of the social platform. The very solution to this would be personal regulation. Everyone has a right to speak what they wish and those who are the victims of the offender, should regulate themselves in a way which keeps themselves distant. PEMRA can play a huge role in regulating specific pages and sites which give way to hate speech affecting the users; especially those who are in concern.

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