This article first appeared in Forum, The Edge Malaysia Weekly on July 22, 2024 - July 28, 2024

Proponents of freedom of expression and the press believe that they can be self-regulated and be responsible enough to ensure that what they say, write, critique and post on the internet is always right. It is also within their democratic rights. After all, this is the age of digital democracy.

But this world of digital democracy has also become a breeding place for racial and religious intolerance, the spewing of hatred, the spreading of lies and fake news, the using of fake accounts and the making of threats, including death threats. It has also given way to a whole range of scammers. With the advent of artificial intelligence (AI), fake content, news and videos that seem truthful and scammers that are believable, we could end up in a world of digital anarchy instead.

For me, as far as digital mass communications and media are concerned, they have to have rules and laws governing them, just like in the days when the printing press and traditional broadcasting stations dominated the news platforms. Self-regulation will not work simply because there are too many irresponsible social media users, commentators and owners out there.

My views on this subject were expressed in two articles which appeared in this column: The first, headlined “No to total freedom of expression” (Issue 1489, Sept 11, 2023), and the second, “Government monitoring of internet content is imminent” (Issue 1511, Feb 19, 2024).

In the first article, I said the internet and social media platforms are being dubbed as a place where digital democracy reigns supreme. Yes, it gives voice to the people who want to be heard, notably those ignored by the mainstream media, powerful media owners and the government of the day. But total freedom at what cost?

The internet has democratised the world of journalism, creating a space where almost everyone who has access to the cyber world can publish and comment on what they like. It is a liberation of sorts. But that does not mean it is a licence to lie, slander and spread disinformation, and in the Malaysian context, where we have experienced racial riots in the past, to incite racial and religious hatred.

In the second article, I touched on the decision by Manchester United - my favourite club which I consider to be the biggest name in football in terms of brand and supporters - to launch its own social media code (SMC). While social media can further expand its fan base and business, the quadrupling of “unacceptable” postings as of early this year from just 640,000 postings in 2022, is a cause for concern.

The SMC allows the club to take proactive steps to keep “social media a safe place for the wider football family” and declares that its commitment “to preventing abuse and discriminatory behaviour on social media is unwavering including creating a respectful online environment for everyone”. This means Manchester United will not hesitate to delete commentaries and block postings that are toxic, profane, vulgar and threatening in nature. If need be, it will work with the authorities and police to control the situation.

In football and other sports, online commentaries have become so toxic that it has affected the mental state of many players. If Manchester United finds that it is its responsibility to maintain decorum in the cyber world, then why not governments? At the same time, social media platform owners seem not too interested in putting stronger safety nets against fake news, disinformation, toxic commentaries, and racial and religious incitements.

In a country like Malaysia, fake news and toxic commentaries on race and religion could ignite political tensions that could disrupt the peace and stability of the nation. If racial and religious riots occur, it will be a tough job for the government of the day to restore racial and religious harmony.

The case for stricter monitoring, new regulations, and laws over the internet and social media was more evident when the country was gripped by the cyberbullying of Rajeswary Appahu, a social media influencer better known as Esha, who is believed to have committed suicide on July 5, a day after lodging a police report at the Dang Wangi police station over death and sexual threats made against her.

While a few of the perpetrators, using TikTok accounts, were identified and hauled to court, one was let off with a puny RM100 fine on one of the charges that was linked to the influencer’s death. While the small fine caused a public uproar, lawyers said one reason was that there is no specific law for cyberbullying in Malaysia.

This prompted Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil to call for the re-examining of current laws so that cyberbullying can be clearly defined and that appropriate fines or punishments are meted out.

The heightened toxicity level in social media postings, ranging from cyberbullying, the spreading of lies, fake news, threats, cursing and profanity, and hiding behind anonymity, simply means that there are a lot of people out there who just cannot handle the “freedom” of speech and expression offered by digital democracy.

In many of them, their true colours and character emerge, portraying what kind of human beings they are. Even the quiet ones, hiding behind anonymity, can become villains in the “wild-wild west (www)” world of the Internet.

Writing commentaries, making jokes, “dirty” or not, in a small WhatsApp group of friends, is understandable, but I cannot fathom why one can or needs to write commentaries or postings full of anger and profanity, with inaccurate facts that are not substantiated, for the general public. Thinking that there are no boundaries and responsibilities in social media, some just want to be heard or be a hero for a just cause. Many end up being rebels without a cause, though. But all want their views to be shared and commented upon.

I am not an active social media user. As a journalist of 40 years, I need to be away from writing, commenting and posting during my free time. I use social media platforms usually to catch up with old friends and keep up to date with international, political, business and sports news. I do glance at comments but don’t bother to participate or reply even if the comments offend me or don’t make sense, or if a factually wrong point needs to be corrected. Listening to short religious clippings, football match reviews or musical scenes seems the better option over social media.

This is not to say that there are not many responsible users out there. Many use social media platforms well and they take advantage of the cheap connectivity to build contacts, and expand their networking and businesses. Sad to say, however, many abuse them too.

As for my race, the Malays, who are known for their “lemah lembut and sopan santun” character that exemplifies gentleness, politeness and humility, I find that many of them are no longer “sopan or santun” over the cyber world.

For the Malays, who are Muslims, we are governed by Allah’s command in the Quran and Prophet Muhammad’s (may peace be upon him) examples and hadeeth (sayings) not only in the way we live but also in how we communicate, write and behave.

I found this posting over the internet by Islamic scholar Abul Abbaas Naveed Ayaaz, on guidelines for using social media based on the Quran and hadeeth, riveting. He said Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and WhatsApp today are some of the easiest ways to earn heavenly rewards or punishment. A single message can reach thousands and sometimes millions of people and if it is good and accurate, as Muslims you will receive the reward, if not, the reverse happens.

The prophet said, as narrated by Bilal ibn Harith: “A person says a word that pleases Allah, and he never thinks anything of it, but Allah will record His pleasure for him until the day of judgment. And a person who utters a word that angers Allah, and he never thinks about it but Allah will record from him His anger due to it until the day of judgment.”

Abul Abbaas summarises the guidelines for communicating on social media as follows:

1.     Make the task of communicating as ibadah (part of religious rituals) and good intention.

2.     Make communication a key to goodness and not evil.

3.     Make sure what is written and shared is authentic and verified. The Quran says: “O believers, if an evildoer brings you any news, verify it so you don’t harm people unknowingly, then becoming regretful for what you have done.” (Al-Hujuraat: Verse 6).

4.     Slow down and don’t be hasty. Before you press the button, think and think again. The prophet said, as narrated by Anas ibn Malik: “Deliberation is from Allah, hastiness is from shaytan (the devil).”

5.     It is good and rightful content that counts, not clickbait.

6.     Don’t lose sight of the real world, don’t delay your solah (prayers) and do good deeds. Know your priorities and don’t let yourself be distracted and immersed in the fake world of social media.

And finally, always be guided that you cannot be anonymous from Allah. God knows even your inner thoughts and there will be no anonymity on the day of resurrection and judgment.

Azam Aris is an editor emeritus at The Edge 

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