GUWAHATI, Sept 10 - The online media is being increasingly used for hate campaigns to spread misinformation aimed to create distrust and alienation between different communities that result in hostilities and lead to violence.
In order to address these socially divisive and devastating trends arising from wrong use of social media and to promote understanding and peace in and through cyberspace, a �Tech Camp� was organised in Guwahati to counter online fanatic indoctrination on September 9 and 10.
The camp was organised by COVA from Hyderabad in collaboration with Swahid Peoli Phukan College, Asian Resource Foundation, North East Youth Foundation, in partnership with US Consulate General, Hyderabad and IIP.
As many as 36 participants at the Tech Camp were progressive religious scholars, mediapersons, social activists, academics, youth and students who were trained to gain expertise in using social media for peace and understanding and to counter misinformation and hate campaigns.
People from different parts of the Northeast participated in the Tech Camp and they were trained on different social media tools which include Facebook, Twitter, You Tube, Podcasting, developing blogs, apps and web sites.
The Tech Camp enabled development of websites, apps and other tools to enable participants to use social media to address some challenges faced by them in their professional and social engagements like addressing discrimination, training and orientating students and teachers to use social media to ensure quality education, using social media to bridge Northeast with other parts of the country, etc.
The NE chapter of COFI (Countering Online Fanatic Indoctrination) Network was formed with the objectives of promoting use of social media to counter online hate campaigns and secure cyber space to promote peace between different religions and communities.