Afiq/ Have new media changed our lives for the better?

Some may argue that new media has not improved our lives for the better as it has led to the abuse of freedom of speech by ignorant users. Given the nature of new media which feeds on user-generated content on a variety of online platforms, users have the opportunity to voice their opinions via the same medium even though their personal thoughts could verge on sensitive issues. Ignorant users who freely express themselves at the expense of others' welfare without much consideration would be abusing their freedom of speech by agitating other users with their hurtful words or comments. This pervasive issue have the potential to attract unnecessary chaos when socio-political topics are broached, such as ethnicity and religion and gives rise to controversies. In the case of universities in Canada, the restrictions placed on students and staff on whether or not they are allowed to express their ideas freely via hosted web content seems to vary from school to school. Northwestern University, which was involved in a controversy with a hosted web page regarding the holocaust, still allows web content with freedom of speech, but any controversial opinions must have a disclaimer that explains that the content does not represent the views of the school. This indicates the near possibility of resticting freedom of speech which would usually be accompanied by hateful content. However, this generalisation could prove otherwise as not all users are insensitive and many are relatively responsible users. User generated content on the Internet also are constantly under the watchful eyes of netizens who would regulate content regularly to ensure information disseminated are not only objective, but also accurate and succint. This helps to maintain order online so as to prevent widespread discrimination or exploitation of users. In Singapore, netizens play an active role in upholding freedom of speech judging by the quantitive number of cases reported daily. Ultimately, new media has presented users with an exponential source of knowledge and incorporated the value of equality among users through freedom of speech.