Hate speeches, threats can undermine a successful free and fair election
It is disturbing and alarming to learn that some election candidates are being threatened online, on social media. Some of these incidents may not be reported for fear of reprisals, but others are being revealed. One of them involved SODELPA’s campaign manager and candidate, Jope Koroisavou. He was threatened and insulted.
The level of personal abuse, hurled at him in response to his videos posted online explaining his party policies, is unacceptable and criminal.
It is not civil and uncalled for in a political environment that champions a free and fair election in a true democracy. Any attack like it against any other candidate is simply wicked and morally wrong.
Let’s stop these insulting and threatening online posts against candidates. Instead of attacking personalities, we should be focusing on issues and state our position through our choice of candidate at the ballot box on December 14.
The use of foul language and derogatory remarks to denigrate candidates goes against all forms of human decency.
Nothing justifies it. It lowers the standards for this election and causes fear and anxiety among law-abiding citizens.
Online attack is not confined to Fiji only. Some overseas surveys find that it can threaten candidates’ security and undermine their psychological health. In Canada, a survey says some candidates, victims of threats and insults, were anxious about what online trolls might do next.
They felt demoralised by the personal attacks from random members of the public. The survey adds that the psychological toll extends to political staff who described their work of monitoring the online abuse as occupational health and safety hazard.
The online attack also discouraged some candidates from using social media to explain their policies. The survey recommends that multiple approaches are needed to be pursued by candidates, political parties, social media platforms and their users and legislators to help stamp out online abuse.
We should learn from the findings of this survey and take necessary measures to address the situation. Some candidates may brush aside online abuse by simply ignoring it and hoping it will go away. It will not go away.
Inaction will embolden the perpetrators and no candidate will be spared.