The Role of Facebook in supporting Tolerance and National Reconciliation Efforts (A Field Study)

Abstract

This study aims to identify the role of Facebook in supporting national reconciliation efforts among the media elite, specifically media teaching staff at Libyan universities. The researcher employed a survey methodology using an electronic questionnaire distributed to the study sample. The study consisted of a methodological framework and a theoretical framework that addressed social media platforms, including Facebook, and their potential to support national reconciliation efforts, as well as exploring the concept, importance, and role of media in this regard.  The study reached several findings, including that the majority of the sample, approximately 76%, actively follow Facebook. One of the reasons for Facebook's limited contribution to supporting reconciliation efforts is the lack of regulation over content published on Facebook pages. Regarding the timing of Facebook use, all times ranked first among the sample members. The study also indicated that social contents recorded a high percentage of 77.5%. Furthermore, it highlighted that themes such as avoiding hatred speech and promoting awareness and knowledge registered high percentages ranging between 61.55% and 76.55%.