EDITORIAL - The dark side of the Internet

 

There must be more accountability in Barbados when it comes to posting information and images online.
 
As technology advances, it gives its users greater control of their environment and increases their capabilities. One area that has seen an unprecedented dynamic growth is the social media sphere, which has exploded across the globe to bring messages, images and video to a potential billions of users in real time or delayed recording, all at the touch of a button.
 
This technological development, however, has brought with it much controversy. Here in Barbados, as in other parts of the world, social media has been used as a vehicle to spread informational inaccuracies to the wider public, as well as vicious rumours and slanderous material about individuals. This has led to telephone recordings of private conversations, pictures of unsuspecting 
people, and rumours or outright lies about individuals circulating via Whatsapp, Facebook, Twitter etc.
 
However, social media is not the only means being used. There are a few notorious, offensive websites which purport to be news sources, and some which blatantly state that they are not responsible for the accuracy of the content, while nonetheless providing a platform for wider dissemination. The content on these sites is usually reprehensible, based on unsubstantiated “facts”, and can be considered incendiary to those at the centre of the stories.
 
With such inflammatory, destructive material being made available, which could in all likelihood cause an individual to resort to violence against others or motivate one to do self-harm, the question becomes, why are these websites allowed to continue? Unlike a social media thread, it is easier to track down administrators of websites, or people responsible for blogs. It is time that these people be judged on their actions. Putting up disclaimers does not absolve oneself from guilt, especially if it results in death.
 
Yet, despite this, social media and the Internet can be used as a positive force as well. After Tropical Storm Erika left a devastated Dominica in its wake, several non-profit organisations came together via the media as a means to organise and drum up support for their fund-raising effort, to help get that country back on its feet. This is one of many charitable causes that has benefited from the popularity of social media and the Internet.
 
What becomes apparent then, is that technology is not the problem, people are the problem. There is therefore a huge responsibility placed on members of the public to police themselves and others when publishing material via new technology.
 
Unlike established media organisations, which are guided by codes of ethics, state regulations and in-house policies, private citizens do not have such structures to govern them. As a consequence, there is a risk of damaging material being placed for public consumption – audio/visual footage that could be detrimental to the positive development of our society, or devastating to Barbados’ image at an international level. 
 
To this end, it is important that individuals act responsibly when publishing material and consider the consequences of their actions. Too often what is recorded is done with malicious intent with the aim of destroying a persons’ character, not for the purpose of airing views or improving situations. Having been afforded the advantage of living in a western democracy, more Barbadians should grasp the opportunity to express their opinions via media technologies and do so responsibly.

Barbados Advocate

Mailing Address:
Advocate Publishers (2000) Inc
Fontabelle, St. Michael, Barbados

Phone: (246) 467-2000
Fax: (246) 434-2020 / (246) 434-1000