New Delhi: Chief Ministers of the Northeastern states on Monday voiced concern over the role of social media in inciting tension in society and sought Centre’s help in tackling communal violence.
“There is a need to curb the vested interest of the trouble mongers by more effectively regulating the use of social network media, radio, TV and other such means of communication. At the same time, there is also a need for self restraint by the media, particularly the electronic media,” Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said at the 16th meeting of National Integration Council at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on Monday.
Emphasising the need to curb the use of social network media, radio, TV and other such means of communication, Gogoi said, “The development of electronic media and information and networking technology has turned out to be a double edged sword. Mischievous elements and vested interests can spread rumours and hate speeches within a very short span of time through social media networking sites and mobiles to spread misinformation, hatred and anxieties among the people. We have seen an example of this when the occurrence of ethnic conflict in some districts of Assam in 2012 was misrepresented on electronic media and social networking sites to create panic amongst a large number of students and professionals working in other parts of the country, sparking off an unprecedented involuntary migration.”
Gogoi said that media overdrive in repeated showing or telecasting violent scenes could aggravate communal tensions. “There is a need for self restraint by the media, particularly the electronic media,” he added.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma said there are serious risks and threats involved in social networking sites being misused by unscrupulous elements if this domain is left completely unregulated.
“There have been instances when this medium was used by mischievous groups and elements to spread rumours, hatred, defamatory content, fear, emotional abuse and cause social and communal tensions,” he said.
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar said in times of communal strife, the advent of new mode of communication like Internet have complicated the problems as the divisive forces have been able to use the network for spreading ill-will and hatred through social networking sites.
“However, taking a holistic view, a huge awareness campaign for enlightening the people would, to a large extent, check this problem,” he said.
The Tripura Chief Minister said the prevalence of communal disharmony, ethnic violence and Left-Wing extremism should not be seen merely as law and order problem alone. (PTI and our Guwahati Correspondent)