This document discusses the use of new media by civil society organizations in Bangladesh for social transformation. It outlines that while CSOs traditionally focus on research and programs, successful social transformation also requires effective communication with citizens and policymakers. The document analyzes the efficacy and adequacy of CSOs' new media use in Bangladesh, finding that they are missing opportunities to address digital divides and spread of disinformation. It recommends that CSOs improve their media literacy, generate more evidence on new media impacts, and utilize new media more to bridge gaps between citizens and the state through targeted, fact-based content.

1. Use of New Media by Civil Society
Organizations for Social Transformation:
Efficacy, Adequacy and Scopes
ITD International Conference 2021
Green University Bangladesh
October 24, 2021: Dhaka
Md. Sazzad Mahmud Shuvo
Advocacy Coordinator, CARE Bangladesh
Email: sms.shuvo@gmail.com

2. Use of New Media by Civil Society Organizations
for Social Transformation: Efficacy, Adequacy and
Scopes
Outline of the presentation
 Brief overview
 Research questions
 Scopes and methodology
 Analysis
 Recommendations and conclusion
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3. Use of New Media by Civil Society Organizations
for Social Transformation: Efficacy, Adequacy and
Scopes
Brief overview
Traditionally, the role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in Bangladesh is
focused on conducting rigorous analytical research, providing policy
recommendations, and engaging in programmatic interventions through
various development initiatives.
However, the success of inclusive and sustainable social transformation
largely depends on active civic engagement and the affirmative political
will of policymakers.
It requires multidimensional approaches, embedded with effective
communication tools, to adequately engage the citizens, policymakers and
other relevant stakeholders in the social transformation process. In this
backdrop, this paper makes an effort to explore the effectiveness and extent
of utilization of new media by the CSOs in Bangladesh towards affirmative
social transformation. 11/3/2021 3

4. Use of New Media by Civil Society Organizations
for Social Transformation: Efficacy, Adequacy and
Scopes
Research questions
The paper has made an effort to seek-
- whether the civil society organizations have the efficacy in proper
utilization of new media to bridge the digital divide in the society?
- if the civil society organizations adequately making new media contents to
tackle disinformation to ensure social cohesion?
- and, overall, what are the scopes for civil society organizations to mitigate
the disconnection among citizens and the state towards an inclusive
society?
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5. Use of New Media by Civil Society Organizations
for Social Transformation: Efficacy, Adequacy and
Scopes
Scopes and methodology
The tries to explore if there is any cleft of disconnection among the citizens,
policymakers and civil society at this very age of rapid growth of new media.
Considering the recent trends and impacts, the CSOs may need to improve
their media literacy and capacity to use new digital platforms in bridging
the growing digital-divide among citizens and institutions. Otherwise, the
vast array of disinformation will continue to distort the social harmony and
peace, resulting into political unrest.
The paper uses recent national and international incidents, having direct
linkages with new media, as empirical basis, through desk review and
analysis of secondary information.
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6. Use of New Media by Civil Society Organizations
for Social Transformation: Efficacy, Adequacy and
Scopes
Analysis
Role of civil society in social transformation
According to social anthropologist Ernest Gellner, from his Conditions of
Liberty (1994), civil society is a set of institutions, which is strong enough to
counterbalance the state and whilst not preventing the state from fulfilling
the role of keeper of peace and arbitrator between major interests, can,
nevertheless, prevent the state from dominating and atomizing the rest of
society.
The primary actors of civil society include people/individuals and
organizations such as scholars, development activists, religious influencers,
media, private sector and philanthropic organizations. In ideal situation, civil
society provide guidance to the state and citizens towards an inclusive social
harmony towards strengthening democracy.
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7. Use of New Media by Civil Society Organizations
for Social Transformation: Efficacy, Adequacy and
Scopes
Analysis
Civil society and media
To do so, civil society has a tradition of utilizing various communications
channels to have institutionalized engagements among citizens and the sate.
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Key task area
• Agenda setting
• Promoting social cohesion
• Generating evidence
• Tackling disinformation
• Improving knowledge
• Managing flow of information
• Balancing between state and citizens
Citizens
State
Civil society
Media

8. Use of New Media by Civil Society Organizations
for Social Transformation: Efficacy, Adequacy and
Scopes
Analysis
New media and transformation trajectory
New media are regarded as the media platforms particularly associated with
using internet and managed digitally by computational redistribution
mechanisms. Examples of new media may include websites, social media
applications, virtual platforms, new addition meta-verse etc.
In contradiction “old media” such television, radio, and print media, new
media does not include analog broadcast TV programs, feature films,
magazines or books – unless they contain digital interactive processes. (Lev
Manovich 2003) .
In late 1980s, internet has been invented which later is designated as “new
media”. Now at 2021, the various versions of social media, online newspaper,
streaming sites, virtual reality, online gaming and so forth are considered as
the gifts of new media. 11/3/2021 8

9. Use of New Media by Civil Society Organizations
for Social Transformation: Efficacy, Adequacy and
Scopes
Analysis: Efficacy of civil society of Bangladesh in using new media
Number of various social media users is more than 45 million,
which is more than 27% of the country’s population
[Dhaka Tribute, April 2021]
Given the scenario, the new media platforms mostly includes corporate and
entertainment contents. The danger lies within the spread of
disinformation and radicalization.
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It has been observed that the CSOs are missing the
opportunity of effective use of new media to address
the digital divide.
At present, more than 47.61 million people use
internet in Bangladesh - around 7.7 million increased
from 2020.
[DataReportal, January 2021]

10. Use of New Media by Civil Society Organizations
for Social Transformation: Efficacy, Adequacy and
Scopes
Analysis
Adequacy in use of new media by civil society of Bangladesh
In view of ensuring social cohesion and harmony, as the key element of
democracy, the CSOs should be the frontrunner in generating evidence and
improving knowledge of various aspects of social apparatus.
It requires pre-event interventions and insight for social trajectories. Now-a-
days we unfortunately see that, from the US elections to COVID vaccination –
disinformation impacts us all.
As the local/national/international traditional media platforms are adapting
with the new media trends - it is time now to rethink and reassess the impact
capacity and usability of traditional media platforms – and act accordingly.
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11. Use of New Media by Civil Society Organizations
for Social Transformation: Efficacy, Adequacy and
Scopes
Analysis
Scopes in using new media for social transformation
In-depth research on the impact and use of new media
Fact and evidence based contents and narratives
Innovation in formation/utilization of new media to bridge
the digital divide and disconnections
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12. Use of New Media by Civil Society Organizations
for Social Transformation: Efficacy, Adequacy and
Scopes
Recommendation and conclusion
 Improving media literacy of civil society based on transformative outlook
assessment.
 Generating more evidence on new media impacts among citizens in
addressing the disconnection among citizens and the state.
 Focusing more into utilizing new media tool instead of remaining
attached to traditional channels.
 Mobilizing and/or formation of new media platforms to bridge internal
and external gaps.
 Generating targeted contents and fact-based counter narratives to
tackle disinformation and radicalization to ensure social harmony.
 Overall, apart from ignoring new media tools as ‘adolescent toys’
considering these as significant channels for strengthening democracy.
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13. Use of New Media by Civil Society Organizations
for Social Transformation: Efficacy, Adequacy and
Scopes
Thank you, stay safe!
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