Bhopal , 24 October : Everybody has its own version of truth in the society. People believe on half truth and forward it on social media. They don’t want to see other’s half truth. Social media is the channel of communication where messengers or others have no control once the message is circulated on it. It is not known what impact the message has on the society and how would it be put before the audience. The message without consideration some time causes unrest. It is needed self regulatory guideline to be formed with social consensus so that positive use of social media increases and its negative uses decrease. Director General of MP police Rishi Kumar Shukla expressed the views in inaugural session of two-day workshop on ‘Social media for law and order’, organised by Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communication today. Police officers, media experts are participating in the workshop.
Shri Shukla said, print and electronic media have editing system for contents to be circulated but the social media, having a wide spread impact on the society, has no such editing system. There should be some system for editorial balance in information on the media, is the need of the hour. Any law or regulation cannot be effective without the support from the public. Social consent is necessary for regulation of social media. He further said, this new medium of communication has unprecedented possibilities and they are more challenging. Once they cross the limit, it is difficult to deal with them. Shri Shukla said earlier technology used to be absorbed in the society gradually but now, it has affected the society to fast that it creates unrest.
Special guest of the programme and Special Director General (training) Swaran Singh said the constitution provides us the right to express but at what limit it should be applied. We should consider whether we are not hurting others and what can be contribution of our words and ideas in the society. Shri Singh put examples of different countries where social media is contributing with its positivity in tacking crimes.
Understand ‘Swaraj of Smwad’: Chairing the session, university vice-chancellor Prof Brij Kishore Kuthiala said that the nature expects us that we should adopt technology amending it as per the nature. Social media has materialised the concept of ‘Smwad Ka Swaraj’. To understand it, we will have to get the meaning of Swaraj- the word Mahatma Gandhi used in 1909. We will have to get the meaning from that time. Prof Kuthiala said, ‘only me’ sense has been dominated and that should be changed in the feeling ‘I also’. It is a matter of concern. Political parties, other institutions working in social media, police and researchers can play a major role in inculcating this change. Referring a research, the vice-chancellor said, in the history of ten lakh years of human race, the period of 2010 to 2015 has been full of change. What is matter of concern is that this change was not planned. He said Nagarjun’s view was that there is one common thing ‘Brahma’ in conscious and unconscious things. They are not only connected with each other but also depend on each other. The concept is applicable on social media. He said now world expects from India that it should put ideal society system. We should consider how to increase positivity on internet and new media and decrease negativity on it. Rector Lajpat Ahuja conducted the proceedings. HoD of New Media Technology department Dr Sasikala shed light on objectives of the workshop.