Gagging social media for Muharram not the answer: Dawn

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 6 July 2024 |  JP Staff Reporter

Daily Dawn opposes the proposal to shut down social media platforms during Muharram, highlighting the potential negative impacts on communication and free expression. The editorial argues that addressing the root causes of violence is vital rather than limiting access to digital platforms.

Summary

ISLAMABAD—Daily Dawn on Saturday opposed the Punjab government's request to the federal government to shut down social media platforms—Facebook, X, Instagram, WhatsApp, others—from Muharram 6 to 11.

"It is hoped that better sense prevails and the prime minister turns down the Punjab government's troubling suggestion calling for the gagging of social media apps during Muharram," the paper said in an editorial titled "Gagging Social Media."

The provincial administration had earlier written to the interior ministry, calling for a shutdown of various platforms— Facebook, WhatsApp, YouTube, X, etc.—between Muharram 6 and 11 "to control hate and avoid sectarian violence," citing the threat of "external forces" supposedly disseminating hate material.

There are 52.3 million WhatsApp and 47.5 million Facebook users in Pakistan.

"Security concerns are absolutely valid during Muharram, which begins either tomorrow or on Monday, but mass shutdowns of the internet and social media are not the most advisable method of ensuring peace," the paper stated.

The editorial argued that this policy focuses more on the symptoms—hate material and misuse of social media—rather than the actual disease—the presence of violent hate groups that have been fanning the flames of communalism in society for decades.

The newspaper feared that if allowed, it could set a precedent for some elements within the state to permanently throttle free expression and deny access to apps that have become integral to the lives of millions of Pakistanis.

"Shutting down apps can result in disrupting communication across the country, while businesses that depend on these platforms would face immense losses," the editorial concluded.