There has always been controversy regarding the freedom of media. There are concerns regarding the nature and extent of the freedom that are given to the media outlets in a democratic country. Though it is an undeniable fact that the freedom of media is really essential in healthy evolution of a democratic country, its role is always debatable.

Same is the case with the role of the social media. It has not only supported in great political movements in different parts of the world but has also provided opportunity for the propagandists and opportunists to use it for their self-centered and evil incentives. If it has been able to unite the people of the world in certain ways, in some cases, it has also created rifts and differences among the people of the world and even a single community.

Facebook, one of the most frequently used social media, seems to have a certain degree of controversy attached to it. There are certain intellectual circles that do not support its use, while there are many others that support it with complete zeal and dedication. Nonetheless, its use, rather than the medium itself, is a matter of controversy and there are always advantages in its sensible and productive use.

Facebook has been playing an important role in Afghan society as well. Currently, Afghanistan is going through a very crucial and sensitive phase of its history; therefore, the discussions that are carried out in the Facebook have a certain degree of influence over the situation. Keeping the same influence in consideration certain circles within Afghan society are of the view that there should be a ban on it and discussion even took the form of an effort to formally approve a ban through the government.

However, the Ministry of Telecommunications and Information Technology (MCIT) on Sunday, July 06, said the government had rejected a proposal to ban Facebook during an ongoing deadlock over the presidential election. The spokes person for MCIT, Nusrat Rahimi, in a statement said that the National Security Council (NSC) had earlier decided to ban Facebook. “The matter of banning Facebook was on the agenda of NSC meeting today but President Hamid Karzai was not in favour of the idea”. The ministry was also against blocking of Facebook, he said, quashing rumors that the government might block the social networking website until results from the runoff presidential election were announced.

There are fears that bitter internet exchanges between supporters of presidential candidates Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah over alleged fraud in the election may turn into violence. Nevertheless, the ultimate solution is never to ban the medium as a whole; which would enhance the loss more than the benefit. However, it is important the users use it wisely and should not make it a tool to promulgate rumors and violence.