KABUL - An Afghan media watch-dog today formally launched a week-long campaign to encourage responsible use of social media in Afghanistan, while highlighting the importance of social media in facilitating debates and discussions on national issues.

“Social Media Week is being celebrated in Afghanistan for the third consecutive year in view of its importance in bringing about social and political changes and helping in good governance and the rule of law,” said the Executive Director of Nai – Supporting Open Media in Afghanistan, Mujeeb Khilwatgar, at the opening of the campaign in the capital, Kabul.

According to Nai, Social Media Week is being observed in the Afghan provinces of Kandahar, Herat, Balkh and Nangarhar, in addition to the capital, Kabul.

During the week, Nai plans to organize an exhibition of social media posts and “the best post will receive awards.” In addition, the group also plans to organize training for the public on the use of social media and launch an advocacy campaign, through traditional media outlets, to improve understanding of social media.

Speaking at today’s event, Mr. Khilwatgar called on the Ministry of Information and Culture (MoIC) and the United Nations to formally recognize the Week, which runs between 23 and 27 July.

According to Nai, around one million people in Afghanistan currently use social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter and weblogs. Facebook is the most popular social media platform with around 700,000 users in the country. Its users include political parties, traditional media outlets, embassies of foreign countries, civil society organizations, with its main users being the general Afghan public, in particular its youth.

Speaking at today’s launch of Social Media Week, the Executive Director of Nai – Supporting Open Media in Afghanistan, Mujeeb Khilwatgar, highlighted its importance in bringing about social and political changes and helping in good governance and the rule of law. Photo: Sayed Barez / UNAMA
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“Through social media platforms, the Afghan people brought to the fore a high number of election violations, systematic fraud and other ups and downs in the process of the recent Presidential elections – these platforms were also used to raise public awareness and motivate them to take part in the national process,” said Mr. Khilwatgar.

He noted that there was some misuse of the platforms with insults aimed at national figures and the stoking of ethnic and regional sentiments.

Mr. Khilwargar also expressed appreciation for President Hamid Karzai’s decision to turn down a recent proposal being considered by the National Security Council to limit the usage of Facebook in Afghanistan during the election period in view of its misuse by some. “The enemies of social media tried to silence the voices in social media but, fortunately, the President did not accept it,” Mr. Khilwatgar said.

In a statement last month, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) urged responsible use of social media platforms, particularly in relation to the country’s ongoing electoral process.

“Everyone has a right to their own views and opinions and to express these on social media, which can be a valuable tool in helping generate enthusiastic debate and encourage public participation – however, using these platforms for communication in ways which could increase tensions or incite violence is not conducive to the historic electoral process currently underway,” said the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan and head of UNAMA, Ján Kubiš.

The UN envoy also noted “a disturbing tone” in some social media platforms, and urged supporters of the candidates in the Afghan Presidential elections to refrain from inflammatory statements, hate speech or statements which promote divisive ethnic mobilization.

In his comments, Afghan parliamentarian Baktash Siyawash said that the power of social media in bringing political changes cannot be denied, while urging for preventing the misuse of social media platforms. Photo: Sayed Barez / UNAMA
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At today’s event, an advisor at the MoIC, Jalal Noorani, told the audience that social media is a medium for exchange of ideas and it should be used responsibly. In his comments, an Afghan parliamentarian, Baktash Siyawash, said that the power of social media in bringing political changes cannot be denied, however, he urged the launching of campaign to prevent the misuse of social media platforms.