Be credible
Commentators should be prepared to be known, judged for their comments
“BALING batu sembunyi tangan” — throw a stone and hide the hand, which refers to someone who doesn’t want to be responsible for his actions or words. Much like what is happening in the comments section of some news portals today.
Is it cyberspace culture to not want to admit or be accountable for one’s statements? In the past, we had the chain letter network where a letter that contained a message, an advice or libellous information was passed on to several people via snail mail. The originator is usually unknown. In today’s ever-changing world of technology, an anonymous comment can easily go viral by “agent provocateurs” on the net via social media or news portals to provoke the masses.
Take, for example, the government’s redevelopment plan for Kampung Baru — there have been distasteful comments to reject outright the plan, claiming it infringed on “Malay rights” and was erasing the “Malay identity”, among others. Before that, there were also contentious claims on the cause of death of fireman Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim. A more recent case was the demolition of squatter houses in Paya Jaras, Sungai Buloh, by the Selangor government, which was highly politicised.
Where should the line be drawn? As it is often said, freedom of speech carries a tremendous responsibility, but this should not be used as a shield to hide what one can say and do. Extreme comments can lead to tense situations, sometimes even cause irreparable harm to a community. Operators of news portals and owners of media organisations should have guidelines to regulate and manage comments by the masses. Impose conditions on those who post comments to provide their names. Do not let them hide behind a cloak of anonymity. It has often been said that people who write anonymous letters (comments) are “gutless cowards”. A newspaper serving the South County in the United States believes that “an inherent requirement of freedom of speech is that people take full responsibility for the statements they make”.
The Letters section of the New Straits Times, for instance, welcomes comments from everyone, but the writers are never anonymous. We encourage a healthy debate, but we take responsibility for the news, letters and opinions that we publish. It’s being responsible and accountable. Commentators should be prepared to be known and judged for their comments, just like those made on WhatsApp and Facebook, where the writers are known to their groups and peers.
By all means have an open and frank discussion on any topic, but stop the name calling, bad language and insults. Exercise self-restraint, tact and decorum — they are what differentiates a cultured society from an uncivilised mob. As politics is hotly debated, politicians, too, should set an example by uttering responsible comments — slander or harmful speech do not justify political expediency. There will be netizens who don’t bother, but as responsible netizens, we should report them to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission complaints channel set up to counter insensitive and negative postings on social media and other online media platforms.
Operators of news portals and owners of media organisations should have guidelines to regulate and manage comments by the masses.