Larry D. Lauer

On his weekly CNN program, Global Public Square, Fareed Zakaria described a vicious social media assault that aimed to destroy his reputation and harm his family. He labeled these assaults “trolling,” and they can have devastating consequences.

In past posts I have discussed how half-truths and even outright lies can seem true in this fast-paced digital media world… especially when they are repeated over and over.

It is important to note that in day-to-day communication it is natural for most people to simply hear what they want to hear. And when they repeat what they heard they innocently embed it with more of their own views. These “rumors” usually are just a natural part of the communication process. While they can cause problems, they generally are not intended to do harm.

But in a highly charged communication environment of nonstop polarization and extreme opinions this otherwise natural process can turn quite vicious just by adding the conscious intent to discredit and bring harm to a cause, individual, or even an institution.

And in this 24/7 news world, the news media can unwittingly make matters worse by reporting such assaults each time they are made. In this way the information environment becomes cluttered and confusing, leaving everyone completely on their own to sort it all out.

I can’t stress enough how important it is to pay attention to the consequences of social media “trolling” during this extremely polarized political season. Every citizen simply must approach each and every campaign or PAC statement with a huge degree of skepticism. Defensive listening must become the order of the day.

We are in an age of ongoing media revolutions. And there is no end in sight. Therefore, teaching and learning about media literacy in schools, churches, community organizations, and even on street corners, might be our only long-term salvation.