KATHMANDU: In focus over the upheavals in Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka in recent times is the use of social media as a megaphone – reflecting societal fissures while amplifying calls for accountability.
Not to mention the clichéd reference to a weapon – for good, or for bad.
“Gen Z are the ‘digital natives’ who grew up with the internet and social media, and are thus aware of the nuances of the platform, ” explained Dr. Sambit Pal, in-charge Director of the International School of Broadcasting and Journalism at MIT Art, Design and Technology University in Pune.
The term Generation Z, or Gen Z, as being used by the youth protestors in Nepal, refers to people born between 1997 and 2012.
“Social media platforms enabled them to bypass mainstream media gatekeepers, frame narratives, and mobilise collective responses to governance issues, ” he added.
Studies show that social media campaigns can significantly increase voter turnout, spark protests against corruption, and sustain civic dialogues in contexts where traditional media are constrained.
“From the Arab uprising to the movements in South Asian countries, protestors have used the internet, which is a powerful tool of communication, with minimal expense and maximum reach since there is no geographical barricade, ” said Joydeep Das Gupta, Founder-Director, Media Skills Lab.
Media Skills Lab is an educational-research institute that focuses on media literacy, fact-checking, AI literacy, data journalism, and solutions journalism.
According to a Forbes Communications Council post, “Not all social media channels are created the same. Each platform has its particular set of users with their own quirks as to how they interact with content.”
The article highlights 13 practices, including identifying the nature of business, focusing on the core target audience, client demographics, backbone of the digital footprint, research on competitors, etc.