A a pathetic demonstration of authority and safe space snowflake culture, the state owned CBC mainstream media network announced they were going to be closing all comments and all its news links and video posts on Facebook. Why?
They claim their journalists are suffering mental health problems as a result of online bullying and comments from the content they post on Facebook. Journalists have become fragile as they face vitriol and harassment for doing their jobs of repeating state-sponsored propaganda and false information while claiming to be the authoritative source for factual information.
"For journalists, platforms like Twitter can be a great way to find sources and promote their work, but also a cesspool of hatred. Increasingly, reporters are also physically attacked," Andre Picard told CBC.
They can handle criticism, whether legitimate or illegitimate as they claim it is for reasons of sexism or racism or whatever the case may be. As far as they're concerned, the negative comments they're receiving pose a threat to free speech and democracy.
"That's why beginning on Wednesday and for the next month, we will close comments on all news links and video posts to the Facebook pages belonging to the journalism division of the CBC (News, Current Affairs and Local)," the CBC wrote.
We have built significant audiences on social media platforms through our program and news accounts. These are vital ways to reach Canadians, and we believe in serving content to people there like we do on TV, radio, web and apps. In fact, some of our social channels boast record numbers, increasing reach and growing engagement with millions of Canadians.
But as the conversation has degraded on these platforms, we find ourselves limiting what we post there. We know certain stories will draw out obnoxious and hateful comments. The truth is we spend a considerable amount of attention and resources attempting to moderate our Facebook posts. It takes a mental toll on our staff, who must wade into the muck in an effort to keep the conversation healthy for others.
So essentially they are arguing that closing down their comments is a way to protect free speech and democracy. Yes, you protect a democracy of varying opinions and people being I able to access them and come to their own conclusions which might form a new majority over your state-sponsored propaganda of a minority. All the comments might demonstrate just that reality of how the mainstream is actually in the minority.
Certainly if you want to protect free speech you gotta prevent free speech. It only makes sense. After all, you have to throw the baby out with the bathwater and dump all the apples in the garbage because of the few spoiled apples. This is the way life goes, right? LOL.