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Terrorism and the weaponisation of the social media

Social media use has increased dramatically over the past decade and is now a major source of information and influence. Used legitimately, it is a vital tool for communication.

Unfortunately, it can help groups and individuals with less positive intentions to promote violent ideologies, create confusion and spread fear among the general public. Terrorists use a number of methods to indoctrinate and radicalise new followers.

With the growth of the Internet and the explosion in popularity of social networking sites all over the world in recent years, terrorist groups have significantly increased their global reach. They are now able to spread propaganda and recruit half way around the world from the convenience of an Internet cafe. Terrorist groups and their members have made a concerted effort to increase their presence on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter to go along with their existing Internet presence on web sites, forums, and message boards.

Editor's Comment
Mob justice isn't just

A young man suspected of breaking into a car was seized by residents, severely assaulted, and died in the hospital within an hour. We unreservedly condemn this mob justice. It is not a solution to crime, but a criminal offence that turns citizens into murderers.Residents are understandably angry about theft. The person who raised the alarm at 4am acted lawfully, and the neighbours who rushed to help showed community spirit. But what followed was...

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