Be Lagaam Social Media
Media is a means through which one conveys their message to others. Initially, humans played the role of media, but later communication began through letters and correspondence. Eventually, the telephone, radio, and television emerged, and today, social media represents the latest form of this communication. It is clear that now, in the face of social media, both print and electronic media have taken a backseat.
Governments tend to shut down social media sites instead of traditional channels, or they cut off internet access altogether in an attempt to shield themselves from public anger. Influential journalists, politicians, scholars—indeed people from all walks of life—are present on these platforms. While everything has its advantages, there are also disadvantages. For example, a weapon can be beneficial in the hands of a soldier for defense, but it can also prove to be extremely dangerous in the hands of an untrained child or an ignorant person. The same applies to social media. While the world is using it positively to expand businesses, teachers are disseminating knowledge through it, and students are acquiring educational resources and countless benefits, we, as a society, engage in ignorance and take pleasure in its negative aspects. Everyone aspires to be a journalist, particularly aspiring to be like Hamid Mir.
Our nation, far removed from research and verification, quickly spreads news on social media, which is then so rapid that it becomes impossible to refute. Currently, we are merely playing a game of protests. A memory comes to mind: I was in eighth grade at an academy, and a boy was about to take his matriculation exams. He was going to finish his matriculation while I was still trying. The respected teacher beautifully explained that poor people play cricket and hockey, while this one is wealthy enough to play “matriculation.” This reflects the state of our nation—there is nothing, just protests.
A week ago, a student from Punjab University committed suicide, and the news spread rapidly. Social media was quick to jump into action, spreading various incidents without caring about the truth—whether it was fact or fiction—just for the sake of views, even if someone’s life or business is destroyed.
Yesterday, angry youth vandalized a campus of Punjab College due to an alleged incident of assault on a girl. The chaos was so intense that no one could identify who the actual victim was. Self-proclaimed guardians of justice arrived to punish the alleged culprit. The police, seeking to save their own necks, arrested the suspect, and the government canceled the college’s registration. Later, someone realized that no one knew who the affected girl was; various names surfaced, and each parent denied it. In an instance of sheer ignorance, they claimed a girl who hadn’t attended college for ten days was the victim. The situation escalated to the point where the police quickly reached out to her family, who were utterly bewildered. Their daughter had fallen down the stairs, and they provided the police with all the necessary reports, but the police refused to accept them. Eventually, they spoke to the media, and the father’s helplessness was evident—he couldn’t utter a single word, while his uncle struggled to say four or five sentences.
This incident was a stark slap in the face for all of us—only those with daughters can truly feel this pain. Expecting anything from the government is futile; they are busy fulfilling their number games and preserving their seats. However, if the matter pertains to their interests, the FIA (Federal Investigation Agency) will unearth culprits from the depths of the earth, but they don’t have the time to save an innocent life. Society’s intellectuals, teachers, scholars, journalists, lawyers, and parents should all play their part.
Teachers should educate their students, while scholars should highlight the seriousness of this topic in their sermons and lectures. Others should bring the issue of social media into discussion within their circles and refrain from sharing any posts without thinking, so that in the future we can avoid incidents like Lahore and countless others. Let’s not overlook this; let’s give it thorough consideration.
Experience is the key.
