Within the Darren Wilson grand jury story lies a nugget of digital media fear. The prosecuting attorney, Robert P. McCulloch, took time in his statement to blame social media for warping the pursuit of justice.
First, McCulloch sees social media as resposible for social unreast:
Within minutes, various accounts of the incident began appearing on social media. The town was filled with speculation and little if any solid accurate information. Almost immediately, anger began brewing because of the various descriptions of what had happened...
This is a classic fearsome media move, assigning responsiblity to the medium, rathen than to its producers or consumers (the same people, in this case). It also reduces popular claims of injustice by viewing them as ill-sourced.
Next, McCulloch criticizes social media for making his job difficult:
The most significant challenge encountered in this investigation has been the 24-hour news cycle and the sensational appetite for something to talk about. Following closely behind were the rumors on social media.
This shifts the attack from inspiring civil unrest to harming law enforcement and the justice system.
As usual, someone who attacks digital media then recommends restricting its use:
I join with Michael Brown's family, and with the clergy, and with anyone and everyone else; the NAACP, the Urban League, and every government official, and private citizen that you've heard encouraging everyone to continue the demonstrations, continue the discussion, address the problems, but do so in a constructive way, not in a destructive way. [emphases added]
In 2014 it doesn't take much to make such claims, given decades of digital media fearsome meme-mongering.
Comments