On Friday, April 26, 2024, Rudaw Research Center, in collaboration with the Mada Foundation and Soran University, hosted an open discussion titled "Waves of Digital Change in the Kurdistan Region: How is Social Media Changing Society?" The event featured organized discussions on several key topics, including "Social Relationships in the Digital Age," "Online Harassment from Swearing to Sex: Obstacles and Solutions," "Social Media and the Economy in the Kurdistan Region," "The Impact of Social Media on Politics in the Kurdistan Region," "Searching for Truth in the Hustle of Social Media; Combating Misinformation and Disinformation," and "Laws to Combat Digital and Online Violence."
Ziryan Rojhelati, director of Rudaw Research Center, highlighted the dual nature of social media, acknowledging its positive impacts on communication, economy, and freedom of expression, among other dimensions. However, he also emphasized the need to address its negative aspects. According to a survey conducted by Rudaw Research Center, individuals in the Kurdistan Region spend an average of 4 hours and 40 minutes per day on social media, significantly influencing various aspects of their lives. He also underscored that social networks, driven by the goal of retaining users, curate content tailored to individual preferences, creating echo chambers that limit exposure to diverse viewpoints—an essential component of democracy. Moreover, the proliferation of populism and dissemination of misinformation further exacerbate these challenges, occasionally contributing to increased societal tensions and violence.
One of the foremost concerns regarding social media usage in the Kurdistan Region revolves around its societal implications. According to Fenk Shafiq, Director General of Combating Violence against Women and Family, families now allocate as much time to social media as they do to spending time together, sometimes even during meals. This shift has created emotional distance within families, prompting individuals to seek alternative means to bridge the gap. She further elaborates that the Violence Directorate receives thousands of cases of digital violence daily, with a predominant number involving girls and women. However, many victims hesitate to report such incidents due to societal stigma or the uncertainty surrounding the identity of the perpetrator, which can make seeking recourse challenging.
In their efforts to address such violence, Fenk Shafiq outlined the strategy adopted by the Ministry of Interior in coordination with security and police departments. They have established a dedicated helpline with multiple contact numbers for individuals facing cyber violence on a daily basis. Additionally, a cybercrime unit has been established within their department to provide support for those who prefer not to openly report incidents. Moreover, an awareness campaign has been launched in collaboration with various organizations, targeting schools, universities, and departments to educate them about Law No. 6 of 2008 on cybercrime. A critical component of their strategy is the 119 hotline, where individuals can seek social, legal, and psychological advice at any time.
Subsequently, Shivan Seraj, the legal coordinator at Seed Foundation, stated that, based on a survey by the United Nations Women's Affairs and UNFPA in 2021, 50 percent of the Iraqi population, including children, experienced online violence. It is notable that this cyber violence frequently transitions into physical violence and tangible criminal acts.
Hawraman Fariq, a sociology professor at the University of Sulaimani, highlighted a significant drawback of social media in the Kurdistan Region: its contribution to violence and the propagation of hate speech. He delved into an analysis of comments surrounding a murder case and identified three prevalent discourses: honor, tribal, and religious sentiments. He observed that these discourses often justify violence in certain instances, perpetuating a cycle of conflict under their guise.
Dr. Rebin Ramazan, a professor at Duhok University, highlighted the economic impact of social media. He noted that social media has emerged as a pervasive force shaping economic activities globally, including in the Kurdistan Region. In recent years, there has been a notable surge in social media usage in the region, with platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X playing a central role in daily life. Entrepreneurs leverage these platforms to promote their products and services, interact with customers, and access business resources, thereby stimulating local economic growth.
He noted that social media platforms play a crucial role in shaping consumer behavior and purchasing trends. By facilitating direct communication between businesses and consumers, social media exerts influence on consumer decisions and brand perceptions, thereby impacting the demand for goods and services in the region. Moreover, social media has emerged as a potent tool for promoting tourism in the Kurdistan Region. Various platforms enable tourists to share their experiences, explore new destinations, and plan their travels, leading to a rise in tourism revenue and fostering growth in domestic businesses within the tourism sector.
Dr. Hazhan Khalid, addressing the political dimension of social media's effects, remarked that initially, social networks had a positive impact on the political process by providing platforms for diverse ideological and political voices. They expanded the realm of freedom of expression. However, this scenario has since reversed. The diversity is superficial, with various voices often appearing under similar political masks, directing societal discourse. Political discussions on social networks in the Kurdistan Region are largely dominated by the narratives of political parties and opposition groups, lacking distinctiveness. Generally, it is political entities or figures who control these narratives. Those outside these established discourses often encounter organized attacks, including the dissemination of false information, fake news, defamation, or legal action aimed at silencing them.
Dr. Bahat Hasib Karadakhi highlighted the significant challenge posed to journalism in the age of social media and artificial intelligence: the dissemination of false news. He noted that now, any ordinary individual can fabricate what they claim to be news without any factual basis and disseminate it to thousands of people without undergoing any form of censorship. This trend has had a detrimental effect on people's perceptions, leading them to prefer false and exaggerated news. However, he emphasized that this issue is a common problem worldwide.
A survey conducted by Rudaw Research Center, sampling 1,071 individuals from 406 locations in the Kurdistan Region, revealed that approximately 59 percent of consumers trust content posted on social media. However, about 28 percent expressed uncertainty regarding whether to believe such content or not, underscoring the potential impact of fake news.
The Chief Digital Officer at Rudaw Brwa Kyani emphasized that journalists bear the primary responsibility for preventing the spread of false and misleading news. They must exercise caution and thoroughness in their work. Moreover, digital literacy is crucial, especially for journalists, and subsequently for the audience. The philosophy guiding people's social behavior in their daily lives is mirrored in their digital interactions as well.
Lastly, the Judge Rizgar Hama Amin stated that, as per the law, interference in people's lives through technology is prohibited. Certain laws are enacted to combat such crimes, while others are aimed at investigating evidence. However, he stressed that beyond the legal framework, society's awareness of how they interact with each other and events is of greater importance.
