
Dr Asangba Tzüdir
At a time when free speech and expression should be viewed as a potentially revolutionary form of communication and societal transformation, the recent ‘warning’ given by the four Ao organisations against social media users is not only surprising but a major setback to free expression in the light of democracy and progress. There are limits to human freedom including ‘free expression’ but for any society to develop and progress, it is important to communicate between people and create necessary forms of dialogue through the sharing of ideas, opinions including voices of dissent.
Social media today have become such an animated engagement acting as a vital conduit in generating voices and sharing it across various platforms. The diseases of our society beginning with corruption so also the ‘clash of ideas’ have angered the right-thinking citizens having reached tolerance limits and social media platforms have become a popular medium to vent out their frustration as well, which is understandable and sometimes needs to be taken with a pinch of salt. For a society that is only beginning to bring out voices, such warnings also comes in the way of learning to voice out and share ones ideas and opinions and one that helps in creating dialogue. For whatever opinions, ideas etc. are shared, it is imperative that such voices are not stifled for it carries the hopes and aspirations and the ‘voice of truth’ of our society.
In the domain of social media, one can never expect all ideas, opinions and comments to be sensible and civilized. Besides, there are various forms of criticisms - positive criticisms, negative criticisms and constructive criticisms which can be either discussed or debated, pushed forward for dialogue and there are also things that can simply be ignored instead of unnecessary ‘profiling.’
A positive approach is needed to ‘address’ the various forms of criticisms by being open to it and to filter and engage accordingly. Giving warning by way of silencing dissent especially against offensive and derogatory remarks is never an effective approach. Such approach to suppression of expression can never succeed by way of trying to put an end to it. It will rather enflame the situation and thereby yield counter-productive returns. Often there can be ‘passing remarks’ that may come as a bad taste and rather than warning, there is always a means by refuting it through principled and reasoned arguments, causing the ‘hate comments’ to fall under its own weight.
There is a very important process called the ‘learning process’ and such learning process needs to be nurtured rather than trying to snub. As such the best antidote for a society to learn and progress is to create spaces for constructive dialogue. This has come as the main hurdle because our society has failed to democratically bridge the gap created through a divide between the ‘inside’ and the ‘outside’ though belonging to the same group and such warnings by way of imposing and curtailing expression is a sad reminder that our society is not prepared to communicate positively and engage in dialogue.
(Dr. Asangba Tzüdir is Editor with Heritage Publishing House. He contributes a weekly guest editorial to the Morung Express. Comments can be mailed to asangtz@gmail.com)