Apart from the challenges of poverty,corruption,unemployment,
On the other hand,the reportage of counterterrorism has always been a complex issue for social media enthusiasts in this era of information and communication technologies. The coverage of terrorist activities has become an even greater concern. The global nature of our new communication technologies has brought about easy and quick access to information. Both peace lovers and perpetrators of evil activities are caught in this inevitable web of information packaging and dissemination.
The social media may be guilty of consciously or unconsciously"over-reporting" terrorist's propaganda around the world, but they can also be very effective in winning the war against insurgency through a balanced reportage of the counterterrorism activities by security forces in the affected states.
Despite the free publicity these insurgents enjoy, social media must not present terrorists as champions, or portray them in good light. They must be labelled as criminals who deserve outright condemnation and lawful punishment. Social media plays a key role in today's fight against terrorism all over the world because it has enough potential to do so, and can contribute effectively to conflict resolution and reconciliation. One cannot say that the purposeful role of social media is lost entirely on its reportage of insurgency in Nigeria, but these roles can take two different and opposed forms. It is either social media takes an active part in conflict and has responsibility for increased violence,or stays independent and out of the conflict, thereby contributing to the resolution of conflict and combating violence. Social media,like other forms of traditional media,possess enormous power to end the Boko Haram scourge in Nigeria if properly harnessed as a machinery against terrorism and not an ally.
By Oluwatosin Omole, Founder/Ceo Victoria Media&Security.
Nice one, Fantastic
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