Rudeness bad for online democracy —UP CMC prof

U.P. media professors present their research findings and insights on online incivility and fake news, among others. (Photo by Salvee Fontanilla)

Offensive comments compromise the free exchange of opinion online, a professor said at the University of the Philippines–College of Mass Communication (UP–CMC) Research Brownbag “Take back democratic spaces” on October 25.

While social media opened a space for democratic discussions to thrive, “conventions of engagement… have shifted and incivility seems to be the new normal,” observed Ma. Rosel San Pascual, a Communication Research professor during the forum held in the CMC Auditorium.

Democracy should involve a safe exchange of different opinions, she said, but this now comes at the risk of bashing and intimidation.

Youth ‘desensitized’, ‘confused’

San Pascual noted that the youth who joined focused group discussions (FGDs) as part of her ongoing study seemed to have a subjective view of incivility.

She was also concerned with their tendency to confuse valid criticism with rudeness.

“Apparently, offensive words have a hierarchy… They may be desensitized or just used to it,” the professor said in a mix of English and Filipino. “It’s scary that since they think all disagreements are already ‘uncivil’, they will no longer participate (in online discussions).”

They also believed it was more acceptable to rudely express a stand on an issue than post irrelevant comments.

She cited common practices on social media threads such as attacks on a person’s reputation and stand, using labels or stereotypes, demonizing, sarcasm, foul language, slurs, use of capitals as if shouting, attacking grammar and spelling, making exaggerated statements that lack evidence, refusal to listen, and threats to person and speech freedom.

Despite this, conversations must be encouraged as part of democracy. “We can be passionate, and at the same time, maintain respect,” the educator stressed.

Cyberbullying law pending

The number of cyberbullying cases reported to the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) spiked by 70.74 percent from 2015 to 2016, with 498 out of the total 782 involving online libel.

The “Anti-Cyberbullying Act of 2015” or House Bill 5718 filed by Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya is still pending in Congress.

It proposed to penalize acts of cruelty done online or electronically “that has the effect of stripping one’s dignity or causing unreasonable fear or physical or emotional harm” with a fine ranging from P50,000 to P100,000 and imprisonment from six months to six years.

“People are encouraged to become responsible netizens and make them accountable for their cyber-actions,” Andaya said in a statement when the bill was filed. He attributed bullying to online anonymity: “Social and moral norms are easily switched off and users are emboldened to just say or post anything.”

Fake news & accountability

“Unique to our digital age,” fake news has become a growing concern in the past two years, Professor Clarissa David from U.P. Communication Research said in the same forum.

While this is certainly a problem, David said it’s not the only one nor the most important in the “broken information system polluted by disinformation campaigns,” especially as it’s easy for any news to trend online and “there are barriers to corrective measures.”

Meanwhile, Journalism professor Diosa Labiste pointed out that fake news has created moral, political and communicative crises. Although it only emerged late 2016, it has already created damage in media.

Netizens can’t separate truth, satire, and fake news because deceptive stories appear legitimate when they pop up on news feeds, she observed.

While she suggested institutions and groups that generate news, whether fake or not, should be democratically accountable, Labiste also warned against government regulation as “it might step into the areas of free speech and free expression.”

‘Post-truth’ world

Journalism professor Yvonne Chua said that in an age when emotion and beliefs seem to be valued over truth, the media should keep its watchdog role in mind.

Chua, who founded independent fact-checker Vera Files, emphasized the importance of fact-checking initiatives, through which journalists can empower the public, enrich discussion, and regain trust.

The media must go back to its basic principles, she said. “We are in the truth business. We remind ourselves (that) we are a discipline of verifications.”

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