MAILBOX
Faulty role of Facebook in Myanmar
This is in reference to a write-up on "Is social media inciting violence in Myanmar?" by Maliha Khan published in Star Weekend on April 13 which explained the controversial role of Facebook in ethnic cleansing atrocities committed against the Rohingya by Myanmar security forces and ultra-nationalist Buddhist communities.
Mark Zuckerberg, the co-founder of Facebook, recently said "From where we stand, this case exemplifies the very opposite of effective moderation. That's the kind of thing where I think it is clear that people were trying to use our tools in order to incite real harm." Facebook's role in spreading misinformation in Myanmar has become a top criticism of the social media company.
Most of us think of Facebook as our best friend as we can share our views, see what our friends are up to, and get a glimpse of our parents and near and dear ones at any time. But do we ever think of its downside? The fact is that Facebook allows for fake news to spread quickly. Many do not check for the authenticity and source of possibly fake news. They share it quickly without realising its future consequences.
The Myanmar state army and their associated so-called extreme Buddhists have used Facebook as a platform to incite and instigate mobs to oust the Rohingyas forcefully. During riots, wars and political movements, social media can play a negative role as in the moment, there is little scope to verify sources and what the facts are. We have to take the lesson from the faulty role of Facebook in Myanmar that everyone should be cautious on social media during such situations.
Md Zillur Rahaman
Bhola
Deterioration of the image of DU
Widely known in the past as the "Oxford of the East", DU has always stood above other universities in Bangladesh. Since its establishment, this image of the university remains intact. The students and teachers of this university played an important role in the rise of Bengali nationalism and in the epic struggle for freedom. But recent activities of the administration are unprecedented in the history of DU.
Especially the latest incident of female students who were thrown out from Kabi Sufia Kamal Hall around midnight due to raising their voice against existing quotas in the civil service has thrust DU into the limelight and its image has deteriorated. DU students were upset by these actions and according to reports by The Daily Star and other media houses, many students who protested and led from the front now fear reprisals from the administration and Chhatra League which dominates on campus. To keep intact the image of DU, the administration must stop this political harassment of students.
If an institution like DU is not able to ensure the safety of students who are politically neutral, the general student body will lose its confidence in the administration. As a student, I don't want to see such a shameful chapter continue which is tainting the overall image of the university.
Abul Khaer
Govt Saadat University College
Tangail
Reckless driving, deadly roads
The mindless killings in the name of road accidents have become a common phenomenon now and the recent death of Rajib is a glaring example of this ruthless practice. It is the basic fundamental obligation of the government and the transport authorities to ensure road safety and punish reckless driving. However, they seem to be least concerned about this hazard that is taking a huge toll of valuable lives on the roads. Many of those who got killed or maimed for life are the sole earning members of their families. What will happen to these families if their sole earning members are lost forever? When will the collective sense of the concerned authorities or the general masses be sufficiently stirred so that no further untoward accidents claim anymore lives?
Nuzhat Rifa Ehsan
Baridhara
Dhaka
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