Mediaphyter – A Communications Cocktail

There’s been a significant amount of… tension on Twitter over the last week or so. A few memes, some debates and holiday and economic stresses getting to everyone around. Some of these issues are leading to simply bad behavior. Public relations maven Cathy Browne doesn’t want to take it anymore, so I provided her this platform on which to express her views.

Guest post by Cathy Browne

I love Twitter. I love the immediacy, the conversations, the communities I’ve quickly become part of. What I’m learning from the best minds in social media is better than any single book or class I could take. And I’m thinking like a tweet – all of my communications, from voicemails to blog posts, are more concise, more direct. No more fluff. Great exercise for my PR mind. Thanks Twitter.

Mind you, there are times when arguments flare up, posts get quite racy, and the f-bomb is used pretty liberally. I don’t mind – I get a chuckle out of most of them. But in the last few weeks I’ve been exposed to another aspect of Twitter that has both frightened and angered me. I have had to block several Tweeters (Twits if you ask me), who have posted racist and sexist slurs to attract attention and like-minded followers.

This goes beyond simple Twitter etiquette. This is hate – and it needs to be stopped.

In a perfect world, I know what I’d like to see done. I’d like Twitter to add a second ‘Block’ button that indicates that ‘X’ is being blocked for unacceptable activity – and I’d like that to automatically relay a message to the Twitterverse saying just that. But I realize that this probably won’t happen.

So it falls upon all of us to do our part to protect the integrity of Twitter. If you see objectionable behavior from anyone you follow, don’t simply un-follow them. Block them – and let your followers know that you have done so – and why. Encourage them to do the same, and retweet the information. Our combined actions won’t eradicate the problem – but hopefully it will do something to control the spread of hate on Twitter. There’s enough out there already.

Cathy Browne has been working in tech PR for more than 25 years. Adversely impacted by the current economy, Cathy will be forced to leave the U.S. and move back to Canada in January if she does not regain an employed status. Regardless, she still remains positive about, and protective of, the art of social media. You can find more of her story here.

Amen, grrl – blocking, and immediate outing, is the most effective way to keep our Twitterverse the neverending buzzerific party that it is.

Comment by MightyCasey Dec 19 08 @ 10:26 am

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Agree, agree, agree! I’d love to see the ability to report poor behavior on Twitter and as it grows unfortunately we will see more and more of this happening. The hope I do harbor is that the community, as it is intended, will always vote out the Twits.

/kff

Comment by Kyle Dec 19 08 @ 11:02 am

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Being still fairly new to Twitter, I’ve not come across this yet, but I definitely will block and probably throw a fitchbit if anyone spews the hate anywhere in my stream. Thanks for bringing it to light. It’s definitely not something that should be swept under rugs!

Comment by Miragi Dec 19 08 @ 6:22 pm

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Cathy, I’m with you on this 100%. Yes, free speech is admirable but it needs to come with common sense, decency and respect.

To come out with racial or sexual connotations in this day and age just seems bizarre and very wrong.

Comment by Danny Brown Dec 22 08 @ 12:15 am

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Yeh me too, I’m with you on this 1000%. conversation needs to come with common sense, decency and respect others.

Comment by agence de communication marrakech Dec 22 08 @ 4:20 am

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I’ve noticed this also Cathy and IMO is totally unacceptable. What is surprising is that many, as you say, do this for shock value. (I even came across one so-called web celebrity who was saying pretty sexist things–someone very very popular too). Perhaps they just think they can gain attention to themselves? Anyhow, great post!

Comment by Lisa M Dec 22 08 @ 9:54 pm

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Right on. You will be welcome in Canada if you come back. Tight for jobs up here though.

Comment by ssharlow Dec 28 08 @ 1:55 pm

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This topic is quite hot on the Internet right now. What do you pay attention to while choosing what to write about?

Comment by Heartburn Home Remedy Apr 15 09 @ 5:55 am

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