EDITORIAL
We function on a set of rules that allows citizens the right to freedom of expression, education and religious association, among other things. Understood in those laws is the basic notion of respecting the rights of others. Indeed, this ideal has been taught to us from primary and secondary school, and reinforced during religious education in predominately church and Sunday School settings. Yet, there are those who would seek, by their very actions, to abuse the privilege of expression.
The police and media are now playing catch up behind some of the salacious news circulating in the form of photographic, audio or video messages. We are in an era of fake news that is easily spread like a bushfire, and while some disseminate these messages out of innocent intent – to sensitise loved ones – others cause mischief when these fake alerts entice an all too-willing public into believing everything they see or read, and which can inadvertently create panic.
The police have asked the public to desist from sharing reports that have not been confirmed by the Force, that are old stories or that are not even relevant to Barbados. The Force has also asked that any suspect activities be reported directly to the police or Crimestoppers, rather than the nearest electronic device. Unfortunately, this has clearly fallen on deaf ears, in light of the latest reports circulating about suspicious occurrences; it could easily be recommended that as a start, we return to being our neighbour’s keeper, establish neighbourhood committees and invite police in as liaison officers within each group.
There is a place for citizen reporting, if one were to deem it such. However, before passing or disseminating information, it behoves the individual to think of the consequences; for example, sometimes persons are identified by name or other markers in these messages. There is the added danger of grievous harm done to that person’s reputation that cannot be undone if the imputation is false, especially if the subject matter concerns minors who would suffer from pernicious comments from their peers, or involves a legal matter to be heard before the law courts.
Adults have no problem castigating our children when they do wrong, citing biblical or other lessons on how the tree is to be bent from an early age. Unfortunately, they are not acting in a responsible manner when they contribute to a growing problem in this country. While children are schooled in the ways on how not to
misuse social media, it seems the real problem is the older generation, which is failing itself, the country and those it would seek to influence.
Later this month, we celebrate National Heroes Day, a day that is recognised for the exploits of those who fought for a better Barbados. It is a long time since Barbadians have suffered injustices such as slavery, but we feel modern-day heroes are needed to fight against the ails of society – to fight those who are slaves to the technology, more interested in being “followed” or “liked” than in setting a good example and doing what is right for the nation. Perhaps, it would behove the older citizens to learn the right way to use social media (and employ good judgement), since they seem too easily duped into sharing information that is not always accurate.