The proper and peaceful way to express your conviction

The furore over the September 23 unrest threat is beginning to subside.

As it does, it’s an opportune time to analyse the use of social media to spread lies and fear mongering and highlight its impact on the people and the country as a whole.

Because of the political turmoil of the past there are people among us who are usually on edge when a rumour of unrest is circulated.

They include those who had lived through those troubled times and still carry vivid painful memories, physical and emotional scars. Then there are the younger people who have read from the pages of history or heard stories from older folks.

When someone started the rumour that there would be unrest on September 23, some of these people fell for it. They stopped sending their children to school and stayed away from work and from public streets. They are victims of fear mongering.

Then there are others who are motivated by political interests. It is clear that the perpetrator of the rumour is anti-Government, racist and a bigot. Some of us stayed at home because they support the political ideology of the perpetrator.

Others were just lazy to go to work because it was a Monday and they conveniently used it to take an unofficial day-off for an extended weekend. Despite unequivocal assurance from the Republic of Fiji Military Forces Land Force Commander Colonel Manoa Gadai that there would no unrest, some people did not take him seriously.

In this group are those who are simply gullible. They will believe everything they read and see on social media despite the correct versions in the mainstream media.

Then there is a second group that supports the perpetrators of fake news because they embrace the same political ideologies.

Opportunists make up the last group. They seize the moment to focus on their personal interests. The workers do not care that they are piling on added pressure on their work colleagues when they stay away from work.

The wider implications of fake news can be devastating.

The businesses who opened later in the morning on Monday than usual experienced a drop in income. They are themselves to blame.

But how many business houses took the threat of unrest seriously?

This is the danger of fearmongering caused by certain elements in our society who have no moral decency to realize the serious consequences of their irresponsible actions.

The combined effect of such actions on our economy is damaging.

Political unrest causes instability and scares tourists and investors from our country.

If people have grievances follow the proper channels. Our Constitution gurantees our rights to air our grievances in the various democratic mechanisms which uphold the rule of law and our justice system.

Untimately, people have the ballot box, to express their feelings and conviction, during a General Election.

That is the peaceful way and it’s the best way.