Doha is fast becoming the world capital of conferences and conventions. The latest global gathering of experts hosted by Qatar, the International Conference on “Social Media: Challenges and Ways to Promote Freedoms and Protect Activists”, brought together some 300 government and private organisations, human rights defenders, media workers, tech community and experts in the field. Over the course of two days, they discussed the impact of social media on the society and governments at large, and how to free up social media platforms and media activists from the shackles of control and muzzling from influential quarters with vested interests.
The conference made several recommendations, which if implemented in its true spirits and nature, can lead to path-breaking legislations across the world. The recommendations drew attention to cybercrime, hate speech, methods used to spread unwelcome concepts and the existence of unclear and vague laws in some countries that do not clearly understand the crime and some penalties inconsistent with those crimes.
The recommendations demanded that laws should define content, be transparent and with an option to evaluate the procedures periodically in consultation with all stakeholders. It also called on states to ensure that there are no restrictions on freedom of expression and the law should clarify that if the speech is an incitement to violence or inconsistent with the right to privacy, it should be penalised as it constitutes to a form of repression. It stressed the necessity of promoting human rights under the Paris Principles to ensure that the organisations concerned are not subject to threat, including activities on the Internet and proposed that social media companies implement the human rights law as a reference to protect the civil rights.
Now-a-days, whether it is Twitter or Facebook almost everybody makes a journey to the cyberworld several times on any given day. Figures of daily traffic pulled by social media sites are enough for anyone to realise the power of influence that social media commands over our daily life and how it influences our opinions. As social media is easily accessible, it can fast become a meeting point of similar ideas and views. It is easy to get one’s opinion about and opposition to anything -- whether it is government policies or social ills – across in lightning speed. Same is the case when it comes to spreading hatred or incitement to violence.
As it is a powerful double-edged sword, usage of social media needs great caution and self-control. It can be used by groups with vested interests, individual or governments to purge their critics or opponents. Hence, clearly defined legislations ensuring the rights of everybody and protection of social media activists is the need of the hour.
