Regulation, yes, but protect free speech

FREE speech is one of the great tenets of democracy. That citizens the world over should be able to express themselves without fear or favour is unquestionably a state of affairs to which all right-minded people must surely aspire.

Nonetheless, when it comes, for example, to this newspaper and to fellow publishers, we are answerable to certain levels of regulation, and adjudicated upon by a Press Council. Newspapers are not, in other words, permitted to operate in an environment akin to that of the Wild West.

Such is not the situation, however, when it comes to the internet and particularly to the more dangerous tentacles of this communication giant which reach, unchecked and untethered, into the netherworld of social media. Users are subject to little or no regulation whatsoever; they can say what they like, when they like, and about whomever they like. No probity is necessary. It is simply open season.

We are not short of examples of the hurt that such social media activity has caused, of the damage it has done, of how it has destroyed lives – including those of many vulnerable children and teenagers.

When young people take to social media there are simply no boundaries and no safety nets. Often, parents are only aware of the destructive power of these social media sites when, tragically, it is too late.

That Government plans are afoot to rectify this, and to possibly introduce some kind of social media watchdog, is, therefore, a welcome development.

Still in the initial discussion stage, it is vital, however, to emphasise, at this early point, that with such power must come huge responsibility. Clear guidelines must be drawn when it comes to regulation and to deciding what, specifically, is deemed to be offensive or dangerous.

It is important to protect our citizens – particularly our children – from the destructive nature of social media engagement. But we must ensure that freedom of speech does not suffer as a consequence.