Anonymity is a necessary part of democracy

A New Yorker cartoon from 1993

Comment boxes at the end of online articles are the norm these days. The ability for the reader to fill out a short form and then tap away their thoughts before posting it to the author and the world, is only a few clicks away. It is democracy in action. It is an open relationship. The author can not sit on his or her high podium and dictate to all who reads, what is important and what isn't. If so, with the plethora of online media, people will be very quick to change. But through spam, vitriol, and often straight out bullying and libel, online comment boxes can become quite an unpleasant place that ruins the experience and democratic process for all involved. Though in no way should a few bad eggs ruin the benefits of online anonymity for everyone. Being anonymous is a right that may not be explicitly enshrined in the constitution or a bill of rights (to which we don't have), yet it is practised extensively throughout Australian society.

Being able to be anonymous empowers the individual. It gives them the ability to speak their mind without the cost of consequence and repercussions. Free speech is the first step. Being able to speak out on political and social issues is critical to the functioning of an effective society. Though while Australia isn't a dictatorial country that limits free speech, there are still consequences for speaking out on issues. This can be referred to as the "cost" of speech and opinion.  Standing up at a rally with a megaphone and blurting out your thoughts brands you and your identity with the words that come out of your mouth. At that point in time you choose to associate your "brand", - your face, voice and attitude - with a cause that you believe in. Though 20 minutes to 20 years later  you may not want to be associated with that same protest. People build up perceptions and prejudices about you because of your participation in that event. Their viewpoint of you, being either positive or negative, changes. This is the "cost"; people have perceptions about you and your "brand". The only way to change and remove that cost, is to change your identity and your "brand". Of course, try changing the perceptions that have been built up in peoples minds; like BP being an environmentally conscientious company for instance.

In comparison, Aung San Su Chi choses to associate herself, her identity and her "brand", to the cause of democracy and liberty in Burma.  However many of her supporters who made statements to western media just before she was released, chose to be anonymous. They chose not to forever brand themselves with her identity for fear of persecution. In Australia, persecution doesn't always come at the end of a gun. It can be a look, comment or vibe you get from a friend, passer by, or even your boss. It doesn't have to be overt. Surprisingly enough, these judgements don't even need to occur. All that needs to happen is this thought process:"What will people think?. Suddenly the "cost" of free speech and participating, outweighs the overall benefits and "return" of speaking out. Under this system, free speech comes at a cost. The consequence of this is that less people participate. They won't voice their opinion, won't participate in public discourse, won't leave a comment on the end of an online article. In China, where to participate in a protest you must register your details with the government, participation is low and sometimes doesn't even occur because of fear of government reprisal. In Australia, the majority of people don't fear their government, they fear the judgement they receive from there friends and family around them. In order for democracy to properly function, participation in public discourse needs to occur because everyone should have the ability to help shape ideas and contribute to society. This is why we vote in secret ballots; so citizens can feel free to vote for whomever they choose. Similarly, it should be the same when making a comment online.

When you remove your identity from free speech, the "cost" to you becomes almost negligible. The person serving you on the other side of the counter doesn't know you are 'Sally_528', neither does your boss or maybe even your partner. Suddenly all those judgements and consequences that that could be possibly be made against you, are now made to the "brand" ('Sally_528'). You have a greater ability to speak out and participate without reprisal. Some claim that this lacks credibility, as there is no face to be put to the name, no system of accountability. But a face doesn't really matter, a brand does. If all 'Sally_528'  does is spam comment walls and write drivel, then people and authors will start to ignore her comments, and the "brand" looses credibility. Similarly, when you read an article, say from the Economist, you may not intimately know who wrote the article, but you trust the name of the Economist.  It is the same principle with online commenting. People trust certain authors and commentators, just as they trust certain parts of Wikipedia, even though they may have not the slightest idea who wrote it. And that is a good thing, because then peoples' judgements are not clouding or disregarding the information that is presented. Political, cultural and social prejudices are put aside. The information that is displayed has to taken on its merit.

Yes, drivel in comment columns are annoying, but they can be ignored. If need be, they can even be deleted. Systems and laws that that require people to disclose their identity, like South Australia's proposed bill earlier in the year (that was quickly repealed), prevents people from making a comment or adding to a discussion on an issues, without reprisal or judgement. All online speech, just as with voting, should be anonymous unless an individual choose it to be otherwise. When a persons identity (which they can hardly escape from) becomes attached to their speech and participation in public debate, it  comes at a "cost" to them. Though the real cost this has on society and Australia's democracy, is a reduction in participation, ideas and freedom.

Links:
Internet comments may one day receive the recognition they deserve - Sydney Morning Herald

In defence of anonymous pricks - ABC The Drum 

New media have made deriding politicians a national sport - The Daily Telegraph

News Sites Rethink Anonymous Online Comments - The New York Times