Devising law for best use of social media stressed

FE Report Speakers at a discussion in the city Monday said a time-befitting law should be formulated to protect the cyberspace users and for the best use of the booming social media for upgrading democracy in the South Asian countries. They also laid emphasis on utilising the social communication media like Twitter and Facebook as a supportive player for the mainstream journalism as well as to ensure free flow of information. The South Asia Social Forum (SASF) and the Dhaka University (DU) jointly organised the plenary session titled "Resistance and Democratisation: Cyberspace as Alternative Media" at the DU. Media experts, social media activists, researchers and teachers from eight South Asian countries took part in the programme. Associate Professor of Mass Communication and Journalism Department of Dhaka University Dr Fahmidul Haq presented the keynote paper at the session where Professor Dr Golam Rahman of the same department was present as the moderator. Mashiul Alam, Associate Editor of the daily Prothom Alo, Mahbub Morshed, Assistant Editor of the daily Samakal and blog specialist Kowshik Ahmed were present as discussants. Prof Golam Rahman said social communication media has been playing a significant role by providing information to the common people beyond boundary. "It's time to think about the best use of the social media like Facebook, Twitter and blogs for upgrading democracy in the world. The states should have proper laws to protect the users," he added. Keynote speaker Fahmidul Haq said the social networks have played a major role in some Middle-Eastern and African countries to establish democracy and free flow of information. "Therefore we can think seriously about it for ensuring people's right to express including those of the opposition political parties." Mr Mashiul Alam said the social media has opened up a new democratic paradigm. He said there should be international rules and regulations so that everyone can express hisher opinion without any intervention by the governments. Mr Mahbub Morshed said some people are doing brisk business from the internet offering services of the social sites which should come under a structured form in a bid to ensure its best utilisation. Mr Kowshik Ahmed said the blogs and social sites in the world have been playing a very encouraging role in establishing democracy. "As people of Bangladesh and other South Asian countries have had low access to internet, it should be expanded further to use as a major tool of expressing opinions of the individuals", he added.