1. www.cmcaindia.org Social media & democracy: Boon or Bane? DIVYA JACOB

2. www.cmcaindia.org “If it were left on me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.” - Thomas Jefferson

3. www.cmcaindia.org What makes the Media so important? Lifeline of a nation Keeps us informed Connects people Wide reach and access Watchdog of the nation Creates public opinion

4. www.cmcaindia.org Media and Democracy A democracy is a government of the people, for the people and by the people. Thus, the public opinion is an important aspect. The people in turn could hold the government accountable and change it, if they knew what is was doing. So, there is a need to inform the people of things around them so that there is a check on the government. And media is the one who informs them.

5. THE INTERNET

6. www.cmcaindia.org Benefits of social media in a democracy  Not the death of journalism but the birth of a democratic movement  Social cohesion - crosses borders, synchronizes beliefs and co-ordinate actions  Wide spread and reach  Empowers revolutionary movements  Democratization of media.  Relationships and conversation.  Creativity and re-mix culture  Increase transparency in government and organizations

7. www.cmcaindia.org Some examples  Social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, YouTube among others have been the backbone of the protests spanning across the Middle East, North Africa and Asia.  The Egyptian protest took off with the April 6 Youth Movement on Facebook. In Bahrain, True Royal Democracy followed on Facebook, while in Iran, Activist Saeed Valadbaygi maintained a commentary on the protests on the social networking site, called Revolutionary Road by Saeed Valadbaygi.April 6 Youth MovementTrue Royal DemocracyRevolutionary Road by Saeed Valadbaygi

8. www.cmcaindia.org Video clips  http://www.nato.int/docu/review/2011/Social_Med ias/Social_media_can_do/EN/index.htm http://www.nato.int/docu/review/2011/Social_Med ias/Social_media_can_do/EN/index.htm  http://www.nato.int/docu/review/2011/Social_Med ias/Dark-Side-Social-Media/EN/ http://www.nato.int/docu/review/2011/Social_Med ias/Dark-Side-Social-Media/EN/

9. www.cmcaindia.org Drawbacks  Lack of credibility  Uncontrollable  Can be misused  Lots of great content still gets overlooked. Current lack of good filters creates problems finding the best content  Writers have problems delivering content consistently  Anonymity can engender polarization and hate.  Information overload and social networking overload

10. www.cmcaindia.org No. 346, 3rd Cross, 8th 'A' Main, 4th block, Koramangala, Bangalore - 560 034 Ph: 25538584 / 65834322, Email: indiacmca@gmail.com Website: www.cmcaindia.org Thank you for your time!