A Critical Analysis of Social Media as a Tool in Disseminating Information on Islam: A Study in Four Institutions of Higher Learning in Negara Brunei Darussalam

Abstract

There has been a growing interest in studies of social media (SM) worldwide among academics in the past decade but little attention has been paid to Negara Brunei Darussalam (NBD). Many of the studies are also frequently about SM as a popular medium of communication among the young generation worldwide. Nonetheless, few research has been done on paradigm shift in the flow of information from classical to contemporary. The flow of information on Islam through SM has created a virtual discussion where transfer of Islamic knowledge and learning can be done. This infers that endorsed and non-endorsed information on Islam can be transmitted through SM. Hence, this research aims to identify the youths’ behaviour in their interaction with information on Islam through SM in NBD by using questionnaires. This research also discusses the perception and perspectives of the youth towards information on Islam available on SM, and their role as the future leader of NBD towards achieving Brunei Vision 2035. The role of SM as a tool in disseminating information on Islam among the undergraduate students in NBD will also be examined. Finally, conceptualize the most effective mechanism in ensuring the transmission of information on Islam for youths in NBD will be touched. In brief, the methodology used is questionnaires distributed to undergraduate students in NBD and semi-structured in-depth interview with selected government and private agencies. The outcome of this research is a high percentage of youth are highly interacted with the information on Islam disseminate through SM rather than classical manner. The results of this research can be used to formulate a recommendation to the policy-makers in NBD in their framework in relation to information on Islam available on SM especially non endorsed information on Islam. This is done in the light of SM as a global phenomenon and primarily used as a means for youth to communicate and provide them with a wide range of information in virtual manner.