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Stand up for each other on social media

Re: “Politician isn’t taking it anymore,” column, Feb. 16. Many thanks to Jack Knox for calling out the increasingly nasty climate faced by those who seek or hold office. No one wants to hear councillors, MLAs or MPs complain about their lot.

Re: “Politician isn’t taking it anymore,” column, Feb. 16.

 

Many thanks to Jack Knox for calling out the increasingly nasty climate faced by those who seek or hold office.

No one wants to hear councillors, MLAs or MPs complain about their lot. It is an honour to serve.

But it is absolutely the case that social media have allowed attacks — often personal, vile and libellous in nature — to become commonplace. Sometimes labelled “trolls,” those who plague social media with hateful abuse can operate anonymously.

While we seek solutions (such as Twitter or Facebook being more diligent in removing offensive comment) something we can all do is stand up for each other and seek a public sphere where respectful discourse replaces misogyny and unfounded slanders.

 

Elizabeth E. May

MP, Saanich-Gulf Islands