FCJ-162 Symbolic violence in the online field: Calls for ‘civility’ in online discussion
In this paper, I argue that enforcing norms of civility in a deliberative space can be dangerous, as a requirement of civility can be used as a tool to stifle dissent and reinforce existing arrangements of power. I analyse the comments that led to the closing of the online comments board of a commun...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Open Humanities Press
2014-04-01
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| Series: | Fibreculture Journal |
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| Online Access: | http://twentytwo.fibreculturejournal.org/fcj-162-symbolic-violence-in-the-online-field-calls-for-civility-in-online-discussion/ |
| Summary: | In this paper, I argue that enforcing norms of civility in a deliberative space can be dangerous, as a requirement of civility can be used as a tool to stifle dissent and reinforce existing arrangements of power. I analyse the comments that led to the closing of the online comments board of a community newspaper in Greeley, Colorado in the United States, the editor of the paper’s justification for shutting down commenting, as well as the few comments that made it to the forum in response to the announcement before the commenting function ceased. I find that despite the fact that comments were often rude and insulting, they were performing a vital deliberative democratic function. |
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| ISSN: | 1449-1443 1449-1443 |