Afghan media team to be briefed on US Twitter research

KABUL (Pajhwok): Representatives of Afghan news outlets are currently on a visit to the United States are learning how misinformation spreads on social media platforms during disasters.

On Tuesday (today), the delegation is set to visit the lab of UB engineer Jun Zhuang, associate professor at the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering.

According to the website UbNow, the visit, part of State Department’s effort to help Afghan journalists and public relations professionals know how America’s press operates.

The trip is focused largely on Twitter research, led by Zhuang, who examined the behavior of Twitter users during the Boston marathon bombing, Hurricane Sandy, recent hurricanes and other emergencies.

Zhuang believes government organs, media professionals and other organisations could minimise the spread of misinformation through coordinated and widespread debunking efforts.

Officials from some of Afghanistan’s largest media organisations and spokespersons for government institutions will have a chance to look at the work done by Zhuang and his students.

The professor said: “It’s our pleasure to host the delegation from Afghanistan. We’re looking forward to sharing our work with them, as well as picking up any insights from their professional experience.”

The visiting delegation will examine the US experience with a free and independent press, experience the traditional and roles and operations of government public affairs offices and other matters.

Pan Monitor/mud