The College of Mass Communication at the University of Baghdad has launched an extensive public relations campaign aimed at combating extremist ideologies and mitigating their impact on youth and society. The initiative is based on awareness programs, educational workshops, and media activities that emphasize dialogue and openness, following a scientific methodology grounded in planning and field research conducted by Master’s student Adnan Hameed Mahmoud, under the supervision of Assistant Professor Dr. Karim Musht Al-Moussawi.
The campaign, responding to the rise of extremist ideologies in recent years, focused on raising awareness about the dangers of extremist rhetoric spreading through the internet and social media, and its influence on students and various segments of society. It employed a set of strategies, including community engagement, direct awareness initiatives, open dialogue, and the production of media content broadcast through television, radio, and digital platforms to reach the widest possible audience.
Field research conducted by the College, which involved 500 participants including university students, government employees, and social media users, revealed that 60% lacked sufficient awareness of extremist rhetoric, 21% were influenced by extremist content online, and 11% unintentionally shared extremist content, highlighting the urgent need for sustained awareness campaigns.
The campaign also included training workshops conducted by specialists in sociology and psychology, awareness sessions for students, teachers, and staff on how to detect early signs of extremism, and media teams tasked with monitoring extremist content on digital platforms and responding appropriately with awareness-based interventions.
Evaluation of the campaign indicated a success rate ranging between 60% and 75%, along with a clear expansion in cooperation between educational institutions, media outlets, and civil society, strengthening partnerships aimed at promoting values of tolerance and moderation.
The College of Mass Communication emphasized that the campaign represents a significant step in addressing ideological extremism and called on educational, religious, and community institutions to intensify joint efforts, support scientific research, and adopt sustainable awareness programs that contribute to building a cohesive society that rejects hate speech and fosters dialogue and openness.
