In the deep, dark recesses of social media, more than a few people operate from a moral perspective that is, at best, murky.
And often, they cross a line far closer to despicable.
We have come to expect that of some children, teenagers mostly — no matter how frightening and ominous that may be.
Certainly, Canadian society is trying to address the most heinous misuse of social media by our young; the Amanda Todd case galvanized many Canadians, from the young to their parents.
As adults, we can and should teach our children both how powerful and how damaging social media can be. And how fundamental honesty, integrity and ownership should be in the delivery of ideas and opinions.
But there is a whole other undercurrent of social media, running as a sewer full of misrepresentation, misinformation and bias, manifested by adults who have chosen, for the most part, to cloak themselves.
Under the guise of some sort of heroic citizenship, these crusaders demonstrate a cowardice that smacks of so much online graffiti, through anonymous blogs, tweets, posts and comments on various websites.
Central Alberta is not immune from this under-cover commentary.
Part of good community service is understanding that if you are in the public eye, making decisions on public money and determining policy that will impact citizens, then you will face criticism.
You should own that by putting your name to your thoughts and your decisions. And by expressing yourself publicly, you accept your role and become part of the public debate.
Commentary, and criticism, are all part of the puzzle of democracy, if delivered on a firm foundation of truth, fact and integrity.
When it crosses the line into innuendo, wild extrapolation, muckraking and a loose interpretation of the facts, it is no longer a question of free speech.
If political conversations turn personal, if discussions about policy and care for the public purse instead become about faith or sexuality, for example, then we have crossed a boundary.
And if it is done from behind a veil, it is both dishonest and counter-productive.
Our community seems to have spawned drive-by social critics, who brag about being watchdogs for the average person. They operate under the guise of social commentary and boast of delivering “free speech” for the betterment of the community, but fail the true tests of free speech: they won’t put their name to their thoughts, for better or worse, and they play fast and loose with the facts, all the while trumpeting that they alone offer the truth.
As we begin the countdown to October’s municipal election, Red Deerians will grapple with a shifting political landscape. The presence of a plebiscite on wards, and the arrival of Red Deer First, have put new emphasis on the importance of open, honest and fair discussion about the issues.
It will take every voter’s resolve to filter fact from fiction, and sift through the various perspectives offered, to reach personal decisions.
If the anonymous online commentators want to be part of the debate, and the solutions that follow, then they need to quit hiding behind cyber walls.
Own up or shut up.
John Stewart is the Advocate’s managing editor.