Religious extremists find alternatives to propaganda

The impact of social networks and so-called propaganda <x0online” is one of the most important factors in the up-to-date period, for the spread of extremist ideology and the indoctrination of youth with such ideologies, estimates connoisseurs of security aspects in Kosovo.

At least that's how the measurements of the Security Policy Research Center speak.

The centre's executive director, Burim Ramadani, tells Radio Free Europe, that this influence and this way of propaganding extremist ideas, largely religious-based, is difficult to fight.

The inclusion of social and internet networks in general is extremely large in Kosovo, as is in other countries. As such, it is difficult to control. But, I believe that the best approach is to build anti-meritation on social networks and also on the platform luonline, in order to face the real argument of accurate interpretation and say, more liberal of religious issues”, Ramadani said.

Valon Canhas, local social networking expert, speaking of free Radio Europe, explains that platforms and social media, especially those that are “in real time”, like Twitter, have initially been used a lot by different groups and organisations, to distribute the content of their activities from the so-called “, in the countries where the conflict occurred. But, according to him, these platforms, which have large numbers of users, have taken measures to prevent propaganda of extremist and radioal ideas, leading to terrorism.

What I've seen on these platforms, like Facebook and Twitter, is that they've seen that they've started to influence, because of the distribution of content it's been very fast and large, at the same time. They've started censorship. For example, these platforms have made a kind of coalition so they can block these accounts. What they've done now is block them with thousands of accounts of these organizations and censored their content of distribution that they have created. Now, at this time, they're not being used”, Chanhasi said.

But Ramadani points out that social networks and social platforms -- usually -- have a lot of spaces that can be used for endoctrination, and it's hard to use through certain closures or retributions -- to depreciate or close these spaces. According to him, access to these networks and platforms has also evolved.

The evolution of access to these networks, respectively, is ongoing. It's changed all the time. And there were mostly not only aggressive messages, but mostly promotional messages for extremist movements. And that's the idea, which should be strictly fought”, Ramadani said.

Even Canhas, estimates that the approach of groups, organisations or individuals with extremist ideas on platform <x0nonline” has evolved.

And they've started using apps, which are more of an app for one, like a Wiber's, whatatsAppé and similar platforms, which create groups of people who can express interest but are closed to the public”, Canhasi noted.

Ramadani points out that the damage from so-called propaganda éonlineı, according to the centrist's assessments, is estimated equal to direct propaganda by extreme religious performers.

Meanwhile, Canhas has said that the official report on the social network Facebook shows that during the past year, the Government of Kosovo has made 14 to 17 requests for access to certain individuals, but without explaining the reasons for the requests. This number is relative to the fact that for individuals the request has been repeated.