我可以說甚麼呢？
- 「民智未開，不宜使用 WhatsApp」？
無可否認，科技是雙刃的劍，有益亦有害。可是，誰令它變成有害呢？當我們享受科技帶來的方便，使更多人可以自由發言的時候，我們有沒有負責任地發言呢？今天，散播謠言已更大規模、更迅速。我們有沒有核實資訊的來源和真實性後，纔轉發出去呢？我們是否做了幫兇呢？ - 死者是一個回教徒，回教徒佔印度人口14%。宗教因素亦可能是他被殺的原因之一。可是，互聯網科技，不是用來促進人與人之間的溝通和諧嗎？抑或是一個聚集同聲同氣者的平台，互相加強集體的偏見，對抗異己呢？
- 警察袖手旁觀，沒有保護無辜市民的生命財產，的確可怕。更可怕的，是貪污無能的政府，把人民困在無知的處境，方便執政者管治，殘民以自肥。
- 協助散播謠言，祗會自毀長城，蠶食珍貴的「言論自由」。無能的政府不投資提高人民的知識， 有大條道理走捷徑，下令禁制互聯網或社交平台，封殺言論！
試問你下次轉發訊息時，能不三思？
Since May 12, nine people in India were lynched by angry villagers because of a WhatsApp "children trafficking" hoax. Although police had arrived, they were outnumbered and could only watch the victims being beaten to death. In the photograph above, Mohammed Naeem was begging for mercy moments before he was beaten to death.
Source: hindustantimes.com, May 22
What can I say?
- "The people are IT illiterate. They should not use WhatsApp"
Undeniably, technology is a double-edge sword. It saves and it kills. But who make it harmful? When we enjoy the convenience brought by technology, when technology gives more freedom for people to express their views, do we speak in a responsible manner? Today, rumours can reach out more extensively and spreading them is faster. Do we verify the source and truthfulness before we forward a message? Have we been an accomplice? - The victim was a Muslim which takes up 14% of Indian population. He might be murdered for religious reasons. However, is not Information Technology supposed to promote interpersonal communication and harmony? Or does it provide a platform for like-minded people to reinforce each other's prejudice, to join force and battle against dissidents?
- In these incidents, police just stood by without protecting the lives and property of innocent citizens. It was horrible. More horrible would be a corrupt and incompetent government which keeps her subjects in ignorance so that it is easier to govern, harming people in order to fatten the officials.
- Helping spread hoaxes destroys the basis of our freedom of speech. Instead of investing resources in raising the awareness of people, incompetent governments would cut corners to ban internet access or social media, thus silencing dissidents.
Next time, when you forward a message, would you not think thrice?
Sources:
May 22
"Lynching in Jharkhand Over Social Media Rumours"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7U6X9WDTanY
"Jharkhand lynching: When a WhatsApp message turned tribals into killer mobs"
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/a-whatsapp-message-claimed-nine-lives-in-jharkhand-in-a-week/story-xZsIlwFawf82o5WTs8nhVL.html
"Man Pleads for Life"
https://www.facebook.com/ajplusenglish/videos/965473300260844/
May 23
"How WhatsApp Rumours, Mob Vigilantism & Police Inaction Shaped The Jharkhand Lynching"
https://www.scoopwhoop.com/how-whatsapp-rumour-mob-vigilantism-and-police-inaction-shaped-the-jharkhand-lynching
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