Social media is simply a means of mass communication that creates a platform for social interaction. It has benefits for most people of the world, but its effect on the lives of so many has made it quite impressive. Virtually everything is affected by social media, including our freedom of speech. Social Media has given a voice to those who are unable to speak out, a voice to those who have been caged by silence, a voice to certain individuals who are unable to express their opinion or fear airing their views and showing the world what they have to say and what they can offer. These are some various ways in which social media has raised a voice for the voiceless people:
Firstly, was giving those who have unfairly judged a view or rather an open opinion, some citizens who are sometimes referred to as the ‘low-class citizens’ are deprived of the opportunity to express their views when there is an injustice done unto them or when there are arising matters in society. Many times, on the news we see different noble citizens and people who are considered as very prominent people in society. Most times they are there to give their thoughts about a certain issue or to speak on behalf of society. Speaking of times when they come on the news on behalf of society, they do not always, however, speak the minds of those being represented but rather express their own opinions, neglecting the fact that this issue is not his or her personal matters and therefore the rights and the views of both the high class and low-class citizens should be highly considered to avoid a biased justice later on. You know that feeling when the teacher calls only the class prefect to fix a date of his choice for a test and at the end the date is an inconvenient date for you, but you still cannot do anything about it, that is the same feeling many people have when their representative is not able to consider their opinions. They feel neglected, disregarded, and disenfranchised. What do you think these people will do when an opportunity like social media is created for them? Of course, they will grab it immediately and post articles where they can publicize their expressions and opinions concerning matters surrounding them.
Speaking more specifically on politics, many people who cannot afford to air their voices on the traditional media like televisions, radio sets, on the newspaper, etc. has found an enjoyable comfort through social media which allows them to freely express their political opinions concerning a political party or activity.
Furthermore, social media in a great way has made social interaction easier, most especially the shy ones are better off, the people considered as introverts. For these people, social media would really be a great help: this is because they find it hard to communicate or interact with people, either because they think they look ugly or because they are simply shy or maybe because they think they are bad at starting up a conversation. Now, these people can simply start up a conversation with any of their social apps like the famous Facebook without being bothered at looking at the person or speaking shyly because they just simply need to type which involves no physical interaction, using stickers when they like to express themselves. With this, they gradually learn to communicate and start up conversations both on social media and in the physical world.
In conclusion, I agree that the instrument of social media has beyond doubt became a voice to those whose comments would not have passed the criteria for judging new values by traditional media. To promote its benefits, social media should be further transformed in better ways it could help the voiceless people. The great thing about the social media is how it gives a voice to the voiceless people.
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