Twitter threat

US President Donald Trump may be infatuated with social media outlet Twitter, but our government has a much less intimate relationship with the social media tool as evidenced recently in its threats to block access to the website if the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority’s demand to restrict 'objectionable' content is not met. This is a sensitive matter. At one end of the spectrum, the majority exists in a conservative society with traditional mindsets bound to notions of privacy and a moderate conduct. At the other end, we have members across generations who have been seeking a safe platform whereby their freedom to express more liberal views and lifestyles would not be forced to be contained behind closed doors or met with angry mobs. With all due respect, Twitter should not have to concern itself with constitutional parameters of every country. Our government’s energies should be spent in other areas instead of attempting to control social media platforms, such as those providing educational accessibility via the internet to children and adults who reside in remote areas.

Social media has been instrumental in various movements during the last decade. The PTA’s desire to block content in Pakistan seems to stem from its fears of an uprising similar to those that occurred in the Middles East by the people, who have been oppressed for a long time.

Thankfully, PTI Information Secretary Fawad Chaudhry has voiced his party’s stance to make it known that censorship of free media negatively impacts the day-to-day dealings of the state. We support this stance recognising that past blockings of YouTube and Facebook resulted in significant damages not only financial, but also to those relating to the reputation of the country’s stance on freedom of expression. It is hoped that good sense would prevail over PTA’s aggressive position to entirely ban Twitter in the country.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 20^th, 2018.

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