The Rise Of Self Censorship

Why cutting off opposite opinion is the unkindest cut of all . A rant on how ‘paid only’, ‘blue ticks’ and ‘friends and family only’ culture is eroding free speech

This morning, it happened again.

“Paid subscribers only”

Say WHAT???

Really?

Why are so many so-called libertarians and lovers of free speech, actively shutting down conversation?

How are are political and social commentary posts  - on events THAT AFFECT US ALL - becoming like ‘Only Fans’?

How did someone’s take on elections or geo-engineering become the new tits and fanny?

Only to be viewed by those with the dosh?

If it’s that important, it surely has to have a stall set out, bold as brass in the public arena.

How many times have you gone to view something or type a comment before coming up against the ’ole brick wall, or rather pay wall, eh?

Just why?

Only want people who agree with you, or love arguments so much they pay to have them?

Is money more important than distributing your hot take to as broad an audience as possible?

More important than your values of freedom and a right to reply? Really?

How does society benefit from an intentionally limited-reach arse-licking fest?

If you are serious about impacting the wider world on social and political issues, please, set foot outside the safety of the garden gate! Your posts need to be seen by everyone, not just those who already have a reader’s hard-on for you.

Let’s face it, the comments sections of such posts are NOT places of discussion, are they?

They are ALTARS to be WORSHIPPED AT.

Well, GO KISS MY BISHOP’S RING.

I get that there are trolls and some people have nothing to offer other than insults or threats……..but there are block buttons for those individuals.

I also understand that writers want to make money.  And so they should. But good writers WILL make money, not by arm twisting but because there is an innate goodness in human nature that means some people actually WANT TO financially support good, passionate current affairs journalism just for the hell of it. No literary minge flashing required.

Weird, huh?

“But people have always paid for magazines and newspapers”

You may say.

Whilst this is true, it’s naive to look upon social media and tech platforms as the modern version of printed media. It is instead, the new town square. The meeting place of opinions where debate takes place. The way it used to do in person.

Then there’s ‘blue tick’ culture. Support that and you endorse elitism. You are basically saying that your voice should be heard above others.

And many believe it should be. They have become popular on social media and bought into themselves as a brand.  Their own self importance.

When you buy a ‘blue tick’ on the basis that it amplifies your voice, remember, it does this by shoving someone else further down the pecking order. Someone who has just as much right (but maybe not the money) to a platform as you.

The ‘digital town square’ will always be a less fair playing field than its predecessor because it relies on tech know-how. This means those without it or who struggle to use it are disproportionately represented. The elderly for example, who largely speaking are not as tech savvy.  How we personally aid or hinder this injustice however, is our active choice.

Another bug bear of mine is when people with strong opinions set their audience to ‘friends and family only’ when having a rant about a political hot potato.

How is that helping others to be brave enough to speak their minds publicly when they themselves are talking in hushed whispers on the street corner?

“Oh but my employer….”

Duh! That’s kind of THE POINT!!!

The more people use their platforms to speak openly and frankly about controversial topics, the easier it is for everyone else. The opposite also applies. Keep it to yourself or a limited audience and others are inclined to do the same.

Remember your last few weeks in primary school? How you knew it all, were the dogs bollocks, little kids looked up to you as knowing elder…..

Then - boom - you started High School and…..HOLY SHIT!…….that ‘little fish’ feeling set in again, didn’t it?

Weren’t so fucking cocky then, were you?

Apply that analogy to a wider world. What we have now is an epidemic of this. We are deliberately sculpting ‘safe conversation’ environments where we are ‘cock of the walk’ in our own little clique, hanging with our mates in the yard. This ultimately serves to harm us.  We close ourselves off like kids in gated playgrounds where everyone says things we like and agree with.

Yay! Big up Bobby Blue Tick, Carole ‘No comments’ and Freddy ‘Friends and Family’, most popular ducks in the pond.

Give em all a back slap!

Except the world is NOT a pond, is it?  It’s a vast land and immense ocean. And as such, we co-exist and depend on each other. If we want both ourselves and society to advance, we need to be able to communicate constructively with those with alternative view points.

The true test of free speech is LIVING IT. Not just as and when it suits. You’re not Nick Heyward swanning about in his ‘Favourite Shirt’ on a ‘Fantastic Day’.

Let’s see you sport your slogan in the pissing rain, motherfucker.

Free speech is a blood curdling scream in a storm or it’s nothing.

It’s not a pair of Jimmy Choos you treat yourself to ’cause you can. It’s more Jimmy Corkhill.  Loud, proud and unbought.

When you speak your mind with good intention and a willingness to engage respectfully, any haters or shit stirrers will be EXPOSED not buoyed by that environment.

To end, I say this;

Preach to the choir, enjoy the many congratulatory verbal bouquets tossed your way……..or go take your mic down Beasley Street.

If you enjoyed this post, please check out my other opinion pieces by clicking on ‘Opinion Piece’ at the the top of the ‘Mother Of Hope’ home page.