On Labor Day, I was talking to a friend about the last time he went home to Mexico. Our conversation then steered in the political direction. He informed me on how crime in Mexico is dramatically increasing, due to drug cartels. These drug cartels are beginning to control their society and even intimidate Mexico's law enforcement. Coincidentally, I read an article from CNN, about a gruesome murder in Mexico by members from the drug cartel. The two murder victims were killed due to "denouncements" they posted on social networks, regarding drug cartel activities. Their bodies were found severely mangled, hanging from a local bridge in Nuevo Laredo. As the article described how the victims were tortured, my stomach became ill.
How can one be butchered to death for a simple Facebook status or a Tweet? I always knew how influential social networks are, but not to this extent, that it may cause someone to die. This unfortunate situation exemplifies the significant role that our social networks play in today's society. I will be cautious of what I post on the internet, but I will not suppress my voice!
As silly as Facebook and Twitter might seem sometimes to us casual users of them here in America, in some parts of the world those and other social media have become a primary way for dispersing critical information and for making political statements.
ReplyDeleteIt's going to be very interesting to watch how social media evolves as it continues to penetrate further and further into 2nd and 3rd world countries (not sure those terms are commonly used anymore).
Natalie,
ReplyDeleteWow, I am almost speechless. But yes, like Prof. Dawers said in some parts of the world, social networks are a tool for making political statements. Look at the protest/riots in Egypt. I remember a girl who had family in Egypt post on her status that the Egyptian government wanted to ban Facebook. I know that sounds crazy, but look how most of us receive information.
It will be interesting to see if social media will be monitored the more it is becoming the norm.
Social media is becoming the double edged sword. It has the ability to gather people for a good cause and at the same time wreak havoc in the world. Who knows how far it will go.
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