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The title specific part is Analysis of facebook pages focusing propaganda on Balochistan. This research study basically understands and comprehends the role of propaganda in digital network environment; while in previous literatures we find the emphasis on mass media as a pillar of communication (Cullard welch 2003). The research has also highlighted that it’s the era of two way communication with emergence of advance digital networking (Herman & Chomsky 1998). The enemies of state in the form of sub-nationalists, militants, terrorists and propagandists have turned their attentions towards social media networking as a strong forum without any foil and effort to spot, recruit and subvert the youth for the cause of their vested interests and mission.
Consequently, the update on framing theory (Entman, 1993 Reese 2007 and Tewksburry 2007) has further strengthened with this research study in the era of digital social networking environment. The sub nationalists and militants are involved in online social networking on Facebook pages for spotting, recruitment and indoctrination of Baloch youth for vested agenda. Different themes have been used, identified in research study to allure the masses and gain their sympathies. Sub-nationalists and militants are continuously using different themes and propaganda frames to malign state of Pakistan on Balochistan issues. The themes and frames used on designated analyzed Facebook pages have almost same one agenda and that is an ‘independent state of Balochistan’.
Largely, findings and result of thesis challenge the deliberate analysis of all such Facebook pages that are spreading venom against the state. Conclusively, cyber threat is emerging as heinous platform for the non-state actors and the sub-nationalists for carrying out campaign against government forces and state machineries. Hence, new strategies and doctrine must be developed by the government to pitch out the cyber propaganda and curb the online spotting and recruitment by the disgruntled elements of the state and non-state actors.
The objective of this research thesis is to analyze the forum of social media specifically Facebook pages that are being used for propaganda by the sub nationalists and non-state actors for vested-interests. Moreover, aim is to identify the kind of propaganda themes and frames floated by sub-nationalists and non-state actors in order to expose and convey their actual point of view to local youth in general and to the world community in particular. Notwithstanding, the type of propaganda in orchestrated manner, but also to describe the viewer’s reactions to particular themes and frames used for captivation of masses. Furthermore, to establish different strategies and tactics that are being used by the enemies on designated Facebook pages.
Content analysis of 10 Facebook pages has been carried out for the last one year, i.e. from 1st Aug 2017 to 31 July 2018. Prominent ten Facebook pages have been identified and evaluated by number of followers as sampling. Analysis of texts, pictures video clips and illustrations of five facebook pages have been carried out in depth and observed different forms of propaganda themes and frames being circulated in last twelve months. The identified propaganda themes observed are; Deprived Balochistan, Casualty of Baloch Civilians, Casualty of Baloch Nationalists, Atrocities by Army and Security Forces, Resistance to Army and Government, Threat from Pakistan Army and Free Independent Balochistan. The identified propaganda frames observed are; Open vs Clandestine, Persuasive vs Emotional and Freedom vs Human Interests propaganda frame. This research also highlights many other facebook pages that are not analyzed and are being used against Pakistan; thereby, exposing its real insight for the viewers as well as for the state authorities to curb and handle it as deem appropriate.
