Shanawer Rafique | University of Management and Technology (original) (raw)

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Papers by Shanawer Rafique

Studies in Media, Journalism and Communications, 2024

We conducted an online survey with undergraduate students in Afghanistan and Pakistan, two neighb... more We conducted an online survey with undergraduate students in Afghanistan and Pakistan, two neighboring countries in South Asia, to examine their perspectives and attitudes toward generative artificial intelligence (AI). In particular, we analyzed their self-efficacy regarding learning about AI, experiences with AI tools, and intention to adopt AI in their learning and daily lives. University students in Afghanistan and Pakistan demonstrated mixed attitudes toward AI, simultaneously expressing both optimism and concern regarding AI-related technology. While students from both countries exhibited many similarities, their attitudes were interestingly different regarding the benefits and threats of AI. Our research also identified factors affecting AI self-efficacy and intention to learn about AI among Pakistani and Afghan students. This research helps fill a gap in the field of communication and media that lacks empirical studies on Pakistan and Afghanistan youth attitudes toward generative AI and related issues in the Global South in general.

Global Political Review, 2024

Muskan Khan, a hijab-wearing Muslim student, was chased and intimidated by the majority of Hindu ... more Muskan Khan, a hijab-wearing Muslim student, was chased and intimidated by the majority of Hindu students of her college, but she refused to be cowed down raising the slogan Allah o Akbar. The incident gained international fame and she was given the title of hijab girl. Indian TV channels, The Republic World, Time Now, NDTV, and India Today, covered the incident. In this qualitative research, the researchers analyzed hijab coverage in current events and TV shows on the said TV channels. The findings revealed that the Indian Muslim minority was demonized in the media, and TV news programs in the country aired antihijab programming, equating the head covering with terrorism. The Indian news channel anchors and guests exaggerated, fabricated, and twisted the on-air content to create hatred against the hijab and Islam. They subtly showed their anti-Muslim political leanings in the content they produced and blamed Islam for the adversity.

Global Regional Review, 2022

Studies have revealed that in the age of digital media, popular culture has emerged as a powerful... more Studies have revealed that in the age of digital media, popular culture has emerged as a powerful phenomenon. With this in mind, this article critically examines how media is the key player in promoting and reinforcing popular culture. Further, it illuminates the cultural shift with urbanization and industrial progress. In this regard, available literature of the past twenty years has been critically reviewed. This piece of research confers different sources of popular culture such as movies, TV programs, online video gaming, politics, music, sports, advertisements, e-commerce, and mobile applications and describes the significant role of the media in popularizing and endorsing it. This study concludes that the media has played a significant role in cultural change and that the media and pop culture are inter-reliant. This study also suggests that popular culture has a significant influence and power that can be helpful for agenda setting and cultural diplomacy. Pop culture is dynam...

Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, 2021

Pakistan’s polio eradication program faces immense challenges, including misinformation on social... more Pakistan’s polio eradication program faces immense challenges, including misinformation on social media that resulted in an increased number of new polio cases in 2019, when viral misleading videos were shared online. In recent years, misinformation has played a critical role in shifting the public’s attitude on polio vaccination acceptance in Pakistan. Vaccine misinformation on social media marked a turning point in information consumption habits of Pakistanis and the content moderation policies of social media platforms, as well as the relationship between the government of Pakistan and tech giants like Facebook, Google, and Twitter. This commentary suggests that instead of relying on national-level information, Pakistan’s provincial and local health departments should engage with local users on social media to correct vaccine misinformation about polio. Further, vaccine communication must acknowledge the existing information gaps, and take into account readers’ and viewers’ concerns. To mitigate the amount and spread of visual content related to vaccine misinformation, monitoring visual misinformation more closely, perhaps using the AI capabilities of Google’s DeepMind, would be helpful.

Global Regional Review, 2020

This research inquires impact of COVID-19 outbreak on education. It measured the effectiveness an... more This research inquires impact of COVID-19 outbreak on education. It measured the effectiveness and productivity of online learning during pandemic. Online mode of education. Knowing the role of information and communication technologies in assisting and facilitating online learning was also one of the main objectives. Online Survey was conducted for data collection. Sample was selected from University of Management and Technology using simple random sampling. According to the results, respondents agreed that COVID-19 has affected education at university level badly. Respondent agreed that sudden switch to online learning due to COVID-19 has created unrest among students. Respondents also strongly agreed that online leaning is less effective and classroom leaning is more effective. In current research, it has been observed that respondents strongly disagreed and 19.50% disagreed that ICTs have facilitated them during their online leaning amid COVID-19.

Studies in Media, Journalism and Communications, 2024

We conducted an online survey with undergraduate students in Afghanistan and Pakistan, two neighb... more We conducted an online survey with undergraduate students in Afghanistan and Pakistan, two neighboring countries in South Asia, to examine their perspectives and attitudes toward generative artificial intelligence (AI). In particular, we analyzed their self-efficacy regarding learning about AI, experiences with AI tools, and intention to adopt AI in their learning and daily lives. University students in Afghanistan and Pakistan demonstrated mixed attitudes toward AI, simultaneously expressing both optimism and concern regarding AI-related technology. While students from both countries exhibited many similarities, their attitudes were interestingly different regarding the benefits and threats of AI. Our research also identified factors affecting AI self-efficacy and intention to learn about AI among Pakistani and Afghan students. This research helps fill a gap in the field of communication and media that lacks empirical studies on Pakistan and Afghanistan youth attitudes toward generative AI and related issues in the Global South in general.

Global Political Review, 2024

Muskan Khan, a hijab-wearing Muslim student, was chased and intimidated by the majority of Hindu ... more Muskan Khan, a hijab-wearing Muslim student, was chased and intimidated by the majority of Hindu students of her college, but she refused to be cowed down raising the slogan Allah o Akbar. The incident gained international fame and she was given the title of hijab girl. Indian TV channels, The Republic World, Time Now, NDTV, and India Today, covered the incident. In this qualitative research, the researchers analyzed hijab coverage in current events and TV shows on the said TV channels. The findings revealed that the Indian Muslim minority was demonized in the media, and TV news programs in the country aired antihijab programming, equating the head covering with terrorism. The Indian news channel anchors and guests exaggerated, fabricated, and twisted the on-air content to create hatred against the hijab and Islam. They subtly showed their anti-Muslim political leanings in the content they produced and blamed Islam for the adversity.

Global Regional Review, 2022

Studies have revealed that in the age of digital media, popular culture has emerged as a powerful... more Studies have revealed that in the age of digital media, popular culture has emerged as a powerful phenomenon. With this in mind, this article critically examines how media is the key player in promoting and reinforcing popular culture. Further, it illuminates the cultural shift with urbanization and industrial progress. In this regard, available literature of the past twenty years has been critically reviewed. This piece of research confers different sources of popular culture such as movies, TV programs, online video gaming, politics, music, sports, advertisements, e-commerce, and mobile applications and describes the significant role of the media in popularizing and endorsing it. This study concludes that the media has played a significant role in cultural change and that the media and pop culture are inter-reliant. This study also suggests that popular culture has a significant influence and power that can be helpful for agenda setting and cultural diplomacy. Pop culture is dynam...

Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, 2021

Pakistan’s polio eradication program faces immense challenges, including misinformation on social... more Pakistan’s polio eradication program faces immense challenges, including misinformation on social media that resulted in an increased number of new polio cases in 2019, when viral misleading videos were shared online. In recent years, misinformation has played a critical role in shifting the public’s attitude on polio vaccination acceptance in Pakistan. Vaccine misinformation on social media marked a turning point in information consumption habits of Pakistanis and the content moderation policies of social media platforms, as well as the relationship between the government of Pakistan and tech giants like Facebook, Google, and Twitter. This commentary suggests that instead of relying on national-level information, Pakistan’s provincial and local health departments should engage with local users on social media to correct vaccine misinformation about polio. Further, vaccine communication must acknowledge the existing information gaps, and take into account readers’ and viewers’ concerns. To mitigate the amount and spread of visual content related to vaccine misinformation, monitoring visual misinformation more closely, perhaps using the AI capabilities of Google’s DeepMind, would be helpful.

Global Regional Review, 2020

This research inquires impact of COVID-19 outbreak on education. It measured the effectiveness an... more This research inquires impact of COVID-19 outbreak on education. It measured the effectiveness and productivity of online learning during pandemic. Online mode of education. Knowing the role of information and communication technologies in assisting and facilitating online learning was also one of the main objectives. Online Survey was conducted for data collection. Sample was selected from University of Management and Technology using simple random sampling. According to the results, respondents agreed that COVID-19 has affected education at university level badly. Respondent agreed that sudden switch to online learning due to COVID-19 has created unrest among students. Respondents also strongly agreed that online leaning is less effective and classroom leaning is more effective. In current research, it has been observed that respondents strongly disagreed and 19.50% disagreed that ICTs have facilitated them during their online leaning amid COVID-19.