Govt of Pakistan Launch Social Media Cell

| September 7, 2011 | 6 Comments

Pakistan emblem

As much unlikely as this may sound, the Government of Pakistan has established a Social Media Cell to counter negative criticism against the current government (Zadari-Gilani) according The News. There maybe other political reasons behind it such as:

  • Monitoring and targeting bloggers or online journalists against negative criticism of the current government
  • Targeting opposition political leaders through social media channels
  • Defending the government’s position in times of crises

This seems more like a reactive decision by the government to get their social media voice and presence felt, especially after opposing politicians have successfully started using the medium quite well. Previously, Musharraf had been engaging with the audience openly through his Facebook page, and more recently Imran Khan pulled off a successful fan recruitment drive on Facebook.

The News claims to have a PID (Press Information Department) presentation that details the following information:

 

Objective:

Enhancing social interaction since 20 million people use the internet and 4 million are on social networks

Functions:

  1. Publicity of the government
  2. Monitoring negative criticism
  3. Responding to the critics of the goverment

Hierarchy:

  • Director
  • 2 Deputy Directors
  • 3 Information Officers (Publicity, Monitoring and Response)
  • 3 Assistant Information Officers (Publicity, Monitoring and Response)
  • Special Assignments: IT Professional & One Special Assistant

Action Plan:

  1. 8 Facebook Pages
  2. 4 Blogs (PID Official Pakistan, Fata, Responsible Media in Pakistan, and Support Democracy)
  3. 2 Discussion Forums
  4. 1 Youtube Channel
  5. Networking with Publicity Officers, Regional Offices, Press Officers Abroad, PTV, APP and PBC as well as with popular local media organisations and participation in media sites/blogs etc.

Target Audience:

Users of social media sites, the journalist community, intellectuals, columnists/ writers, opinion makers and politicians.

And if you had a big smile on your face and were thinking to apply for jobs in this department, forget it. Because according to Mohammad Saleem, Principal Information Officer (PIO), existing resources and workforce  from the Electronic Media Relations Wing will be used since the PID didn’t seek additional funds to undertake this task (as reported by The News). How clever!? No?

So what do you think about this initiative by the Government of Pakistan? Good? Bad? Do keep in mind that this may also be a negative journalism defacing drive in disguise of a social media cell by the government. This is the fear that we have to live with until we witness what agenda this Social Media Cell actually works on.

[via ProPakistani]

Tags: gillani, imran khan, musharraf, pakistan government, pakistan government on social media, PID, press information department, publicity of the government, social media cell, social media wing, zardari

Category: Media, Politics, Social Media, Society

About the Author (Author Profile)

Founder of PakMediaBlog, Sociality360, The One Rupee Project, and Head of Digital Strategy & Innovation at DHQ (Digital Headquarters). Twitter ID: saroshwaizZz , Personal Blog: www.saroshwaiz.com

  • Hiba Moeen

    It’s their ‘me-too’ strategy … just because Imran Khan and Pervaiz Musharraf are doing it, they feel like being on social media too … Online abuse and angry outburst is what they will get. Or would they like to know what their president smiles like? :P

  • http://www.facebook.com/babarkj Babar 賈韋

    Hierarchy:

    Director
    2 Deputy Directors
    3 Information Officers (Publicity, Monitoring and Response)
    3 Assistant Information Officers (Publicity, Monitoring and Response)
    Special Assignments: IT Professional & One Special Assistant

    Or as I know them as ‘reasons I hate paying taxes – money sucking lazy good for nothing bellies’

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002165601193 Hifza Shah Jillani

    LOL! At least he smiles. :) & just for the heck of discussion, its not really ‘just becase Imran Khan and Pervaiz Musharraf are doing it’ at all. There is a growing need for it since social media is now a world in itself, a virtual world created by all of us. & i am thinking current government SHOULD have their fair share! Even if they DO get angry outbursts, its not really like that’d affect them much, unlike earlier political regimes.

  • http://www.facebook.com/mian.saqib2 Mian Saqib

    Asslamualikum its nice blogs from Govt of Pakistan . pplz also can visit http://www.facetvs.com its also realy nice site of Media Related

  • Awamipolitics

    government never do any thing for poor people

  • Hammad Siddiqui

    Social media is becoming a big thing in Pakistan. Some excellent stuff is available on http://bit.ly/wKgzdR

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