Analysis: Far too many people are prepared to play the man rather than the ball when it comes to commenting online on politics
It would appear we are in a period of reflection, or perhaps confusion, where none of us are quite clear on how or why Ireland became quite so divided. Only a few short years ago, we appeared to be on the crest of a wave; a vibrant, progressive, forward facing country. Now, we have an emotional Taoiseach who says he has lost faith in himself, multiple bruised TDs deciding not to stand for re-election and regular conversations about the abuse our elected officials must endure.
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From RTÉ Your Politics, David McCullagh asks the team who say Leo Varadkar's bombshell announcement coming?
On the other hand, even a cursory view at X (formerly Twitter) or indeed a listen to the airwaves will tell you that there are very many people who feel little if any sympathy for our elected representatives. Indeed a troubling issue in Irish political life over the last decade is that public debate and discourse is increasingly personalised. To coin a phrase, far too many people are 'playing the man rather than the ball'.
In the online world, we do not all attract equal interest. Personalised encounters appear to be driven by group characteristics. We know that women, ethnic minorities, members of our LGBTQ community and younger people are often subjected to far more openly abusive and personalised commentary. Nasty commentary and criticism is all too often linked to what in employment law might be called 'protected characteristics of the person'. In real life, we may not go there, but people do online.
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From RTÉ News, Fine Gael TD Ciarán Cannon says he will not be contesting the next general election over 'toxicity in politics'
It is interesting to think back to the early years of social media. Back then there was a sense that platforms like Twitter, Instagram and TikTok would be tools to increase transparency and representation in politics. We would be able to engage directly with politics and the body politic. Politicians themselves thought that they would be able communicate and connect more directly, encouraging and sometimes oversharing with their followers so they would be seen as real people.
But as time has passed, the role of social media in politics has changed and that change has been increasingly negative. What is normative and acceptable online is increasingly divisive and offensive.
There have been other changes too in that same period. As social media use has risen over the last two decades, wages and salaries globally are not going as far in real terms as they once did. In Ireland, we are probably most familiar with this in terms of housing, reduced services and rising cost of living. Not being able to buy a home, provide for your family, or access health care are experiences that affect very many people.
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From RTÉ Radio 1's Drivetime, Dr Theresa Reidy from UCC and the Green Party's Pauline O'Reilly discuss the level of toxicity in Irish politics
These sorts of challenges are often experienced as personally threatening. When people feel threatened, and in particular when people experience economic threat, the nation forms an important frame. The minimum wage, national taxation practices and social welfare supports are all set at national level. Even if the pattern of rising inequality is global, our national politicians are seen to be central to our economic experiences.
Because of social media, we all now have a window into the lives of the rich and powerful. We see politicians rubbing shoulders with popstars and sporting designer clobber. While these are carefully curated snapshots of political lives, such images show differences between the rich and the poor, putting ‘us’ and ‘them’ into sharp relief. In this context, it is easy to see how relations between the rich and powerful and the poor and powerless can become adversarial. In a polarised online conversation, this is reduced to a battle between powerholders versus the punters.
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From RTÉ Radio 1's Morning Ireland, a new report by Danish political think tank Common Consultancy examines how politicians engage with voters through social media
We recently completed research before and after elections in Northern Ireland and it is clear that feelings of threat peaked in the run up to election. As we move towards a season of local, European and ultimately general election here, it is likely that the attacks on our politicians online will amplify.
Abuse of this type will shut down the diversity of voices in our society. It doesn't just silence one person, it silences the voice of likeminded others, onlookers and bystanders. It changes what is acceptable or normative in public debate. Perhaps now is the time to think about how we can speak and listen respectfully in the year ahead. Play the ball and not the man, as it were.
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The views expressed here are those of the author and do not represent or reflect the views of RTÉ
