Digital Indignation and Self-Censorship

Last night, in a matter of minutes, the UP Law students already knew what happened at Shakey's Katipunan last night thanks to the posts disseminated by LSG. By midnight, almost everyone had voiced out opinions, expressed disgust and actively campaigned to wear black. This is what I call Digital indignation at its finest.

I remember last year during the typhoon Ondoy, news traveled so fast that we were able to disseminate crucial information easily. Volunteers were recruited and goods were donated in lightning speed through appeals in Facebook. A good thing. On the other hand, a Filipina, one Jacque Bermejo, also caused quite a stir among her "fellowmen". She allegedly posted a status in Facebook, saying "buti n lng am hir in dubai! maybe so many sinners bak der! so yeah deserving wat hapend", referring to thousands of Filipinos who were then losing lives and properties due to Ondoy. In a matter of minutes, she had 1,000 haters on Facebook. The next hour, 10,000. The next day, she had to appeal to the media to clear up her name, alleging that her Facebook account had been hacked, as she was starting to receive death threats from fellow Filipinos. Wrong way to gain 15 minutes of fame, in my opinion. The status message was obviously insensitive and poorly-thought out. The price she paid? A "fan" base and death threats.

This is what we have become. We've become each other's Big Brother, spying among ourselves and constantly on the lookout on what to say or whom to offend. Easy access to information have somehow created a fake paranoia that our actions and words will end up in Facebook, Twitter, and blogs everywhere as well and everyone will have a feast.

Should I create a sex video? No, it might end up on piratebay.

Should I trash-talk my professors? No, they might see my tweet.

Should I skip school or miss work? No, they'll see me online and think I'm not really sick

The way I see it, self-censorship is the price of information. It has become a way to guard our behavior. For if our own values and morals can't no longer keep us in place, then fear of ridicule and ire of the indignant digital public should.