Democracy has never looked so well moderated

NOOSA COMMENTATORS THRILLED TO DISCOVER THEY’VE CONTRIBUTED TO PUBLIC DEBATE - DESPITE THEIR COMMENTS BEING VIRTUALLY INVISIBLE

Shock Horror: Facebook comments remain technically available to the commentator - despite being hidden from most of the community. The development has been hailed as a bold new approach to civic engagement.

Let people speak. Then make sure nobody else hears them. They believe they are being heard but have been silenced without their knowledge. “I can still see my comment,” some said. “So, technically, I haven’t been silenced.” But maybe … This represents a significant improvement on the traditional democratic model, in which people express an opinion, other people see it, disagree with it, challenge it and occasionally discover that they were wrong.

MEANWHILE, ANOTHER CR HAS TAKEN THE RADICAL APPROACH OF BEING UPFRONT

In a refreshing display of transparency, another councillor has taken an entirely different approach. Rather than inviting public comments and then deciding which ones deserve to remain visible, the councillor simply doesn’t allow comments at all. The explanation is refreshingly straightforward:

“I don’t have the time to moderate them.”

There is something almost revolutionary about the honesty. No pretence that everyone is being heard.

No illusion that a vigorous community discussion is taking place. No carefully curated comment section populated almost exclusively by people who happen to agree.

Just:

Comments off.

Everyone knows where they stand.

THE TWO GREAT MODELS OF DIGITAL DEMOCRACY

Political observers have identified two emerging schools of councillor Facebook management.

Model One: The Open Door. “Everyone is welcome to comment.”

Comment posted. Comment HIDDEN. Commenter can still see it.

Everyone else wonders where the discussion went.

Model Two: The Closed Door. Comments switched off.

At least, experts say, the second model has the advantage of being completely transparent.

You know you’re not going to be heard.

COMMENTATORS REMAIN OPTIMISTIC

Despite the setback, local commentators insist their contribution to public debate has been significant.

They have written comments. They have made observations. They have challenged decisions.

They have even used the phrase “public interest” several times. The fact that much of the public may never encounter those contributions is considered a minor technicality.

THE NEW GOLD STANDARD

The episode has prompted calls for a new standard of political communication: If comments are going to be disabled, say so. Not excuse yourself by saying Most Relevant Selected and then remove anything likely to question a Cr - when they call themselves a Councillor on their page.

If comments are going to be moderated, moderate consistently.

And if legitimate criticism is going to be hidden, don’t subsequently tell everyone how wonderful it is that the page represents an active public conversation and survey of local opinions.

Because there is a subtle but important difference between allowing someone to speak and allowing anyone else to hear them.

Democracy has never looked so well curated when you can’t be heard.