Freedom of Expression on the Internet

Argumentative Essay Practice 19 Question: ‘People should be allowed to express themselves freely on social media.’ What are your views? Step 1: Defining your key words 1. “People” – specific to this question, I suppose it will be fair for us to assume/define that people refers to netizens/users of social media platforms 2. ‘express themselves freely’ – with emphasis on the word ‘freely’  Free online expression for users means that there is little to no censorship on social media platforms in terms of the content/messages that users post out  If we assume the extreme, this also means that all forms of expression – regardless of vulgarities, nudity, defamation, death threat, bullying posts, etc.  would be permissible online  When we think of ‘freely’ in terms of such great liberty to commit indecent acts online, it becomes easier for us to take a stand on this issue 3. ‘social media’ – in order to define such a broad category, it could help to give your readers some context. Give some examples of social media platforms • Traditional media platforms include TV, newspapers, radio, etc.  although many of the broadcasting stations/press publishing house is also switching their media formats and engaging in online modes (ST app, radio as podcast, etc.)  Some ways that social media differs from traditional media: 1. Recent phenomenon vs. Age-old media format  The rise of social media platforms is relatively recent phenomenon that emerged shortly after the rise of the Internet: it has evolved for decades, from the initial start- ups that had very basic/rudimentary functions to the sophisticated and complex platforms we have today, which also happen to be multi-million dollar platforms

2. Experience with boundaries of expression (due to its datedness)  As a relatively new phenomenon/media format, authorities and laypersons alike are still in the process of figuring out what are the limits of expression/boundaries that should be set and followed in the foreign medium 3. Degree and type of participation by audience and content-producers  For traditional media, the relationship between content producers and audiences/viewers/readers is very different  Most of the time, engaging in traditional media platforms is to be involved in a largely one-sided relationship  Audience of television shows are receiving information, and hardly can provide instantaneous responses and feedback to the producers, or to communicate in real- time with other viewers  This is the same for the newspaper medium – readers’ only channels of communication to writers/journalists and other readers is through weekly forums that editors selectively pick out to publish on papers  However, with social media platforms, the fact that it operates on the Internet makes the type of participation vastly different  The differences between the Internet and traditional media is its ability to connect many people extensively from all around the world, and to transmit data at unprecedented high speed  This means that online users of these social media sites can able to input and broadcast their private thoughts and share their personal opinions on a social issue, a recent news event, a political matter – all on their own accounts/feed/page  Social media platforms provide the average citizen with what they would not have been privileged to enjoy with traditional media: a personal voice and a potential audience

 These comparisons between traditional media and social media platforms are important in guiding us to think about one thing: how does this affect the need for censorship online?  What are some features of the online sphere of communication, broadcasting, publicizing that might potentially need much more/much less censorship/regulations and restrictions? ***CENSORING TRADITIONAL MEDIA*** Do the same reasons apply to social media platforms as well?  Do also bear in mind that traditional media have always been highly controlled, strictly regulated and consistently censored for insensitive/offensive and inappropriate content/articles/films/shows 1. This is because the relevant media and political authorities, especially in Singapore, have realised the influence and impact of media on social beliefs (for instance, entrenching stereotypes by representing certain groups of people consistently in an inaccurate and misleading manner) 2. They have also understood how wide-reaching traditional media is consumed amongst the people, and that one careless or biased opinion on the paper, a racially insensitive scene from a TV show can potentially cause intense uproar  Does the same reason for censoring traditional media apply to the social media platforms? Are they new reasons why social media should be even more tightly regulated? Step 2: Dissecting the idea of ‘should’ and asking ourselves more questions • ‘should’ – how can we come up with arguments taking into account the idea of ‘should’?  This is one crucial word in the statement which would be needed to facilitate our brainstorming process  There are some ways to phrase the word ‘should’ into questions (using our 5W1H)S that may allow us to unpack the density of its meaning/requirements:

1. WHEN should we allow complete freedom of expression for users of social media?  This question leads us to think about what condition/qualities/characteristics that the society/the online community must possess in order for freedom of expression to be effective/beneficial  This question can also be thought of in terms of ‘who’: who should we entitle the freedom of online speech to? What kind of persons do we deem as adequately  For instance: the online community/internet users have to be mature and sensitive enough not to post offensive, harmful or detrimental content online 2. WHY should we allow the freedom of expression online?  Is there a specific and compelling reason why we should not deny social media users to freely expressing themselves online?  FREEDOM OF SPEECH/EXPRESSION?  One of the key principles in the US Constitution (a basic set of principles in which the other laws have to follow/be based on), citizens should be entitled to their rights to the freedom of speech/expression (as a basic human right)  ‘Freedom of speech’ or ‘Freedom of expression’ – means that the individual’s right to say something is protected, however – he/she is not protected against the potential consequences of saying it  In other words, the adverse effects of offensive comments that a reckless, irresponsible individual made will have to be shouldered by him/her through appropriate punishment either by authorities or backlash by the public  However, the more important question remains – is society itself able to withstand the divisive, conflicting and destructive opinions that can greatly damage the social harmony present?

3. WHAT are some advantages (and to who) when there is free expression online?  Try to think of these advantages beyond simply gratification and rights to freedom of speech for the individual social media user  Are there any benefits that the society can yield from engaging in free online speech? 1. For instance, you can consider advantages to society along the lines of more constructive, substantial public discussion on critical societal issues and problems 2. Will greater freedom with respect to online expression also encourage society to progress towards greater artistic creativity, sparking new ideas that will serve as breakthroughs? 3. Can freedom of expression online affect the economy? Given that many governments would be concerned with the prosperity and survival of their nations’ economies, can we link this topic to boosting economic growth? - Think in terms of how social media platform providers are mainly multi-billion