Do free speech and communication come with responsibility?
It's a question that takes some serious consideration, and in today's society it may be more important than ever.
To begin with, the information age has launched a whole new generation of communicators. We have blogs, Facebook, personalized Web sites and cell phones that allow the average citizen to talk to people in other countries in a matter of seconds. Gatekeepers of the communication world are becoming harder to identify and new messages are popping up all over the place. This doesn't mean there are suddenly millions of people who have become professional communicators because they have regular blog entries or Web sites, but it does mean new forms of expression are quickly expanding and being redefined.
While these new ways of reaching out have great potential for connecting us to new cultures, technologies and ideas, they also have the potential to close us into our own little safe spaces. The instant messaging and e-mailing we have become accustomed to allows us to remain anonymous and be selective in what we reveal about ourselves.
Does withholding character information make us safer? I would say probably not, since the main source of targets for sexual predators is now the Internet, and cyber crimes are a fast growing concern for everyone. Many of us are familiar with the psychological criticisms of using the Internet as a primary social tool, but is it also making us less responsible for what we say?
Something I have noticed more on campus recently is political and religious graffiti. I find it strange that we are on a university campus with one of the best communication departments in the country, and yet people are scribbling chalk words on trash cans. Are students under the impression that public property is just another place to write anonymous opinions? And what is the point of making a statement if you are not willing to take responsibility for your words and be there to explain your views?
There also seems to be an abundance of outspoken students who are unwilling to associate their names with their voices and opinions. It is difficult to take someone seriously when they refuse to personally account for their views and protests. Are students afraid they will be harassed or assassinated if they reveal their real identities? Despite how influential and important students may feel, I doubt there is any reason to feel unsafe voicing your opinions on campus - although, recently, there was a pie thrown at a guest speaker. While no one got hurt in that situation, the student body did come out looking immature and unable to counter opinions through debate, mediation or argument.
Deciding to disagree with someone is easy, but facing that person, standing your ground and backing up your thoughts with researched information is a difficult task.
The innovative thing about free speech is that you can listen to people who both oppose and support your views to learn more about who you are and how others think. Free speech allows you to practice tolerance, acceptance and respect while building your own arguments and ideas. It's fun to be reactionary in a country that allows you to express yourself freely, and every American should take advantage of that. However, students should be aware that responsibilities come with every great American liberty. Being young, privileged and in college may allow you to dodge some responsibility now - but eventually being accountable for what you say and do will not only be expected, it will be essential for making real changes.
July Lam is a senior journalism major and writes 'Stick That in Your Pipe and Smoke It' for the Daily News. Her views do not necessarily agree with those of the newspaper.
Write to July at jrlam@bsu.edu.
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