Set better example on Facebook

This powerful ability to publish comments, in the public arena, does not suddenly transport people into the realms of coherent writing.

IN THE absence of solid information, social media rushes to fill the void with trash.

A single sentence on our Facebook page, about police cordoning off Miriam St after a gang disturbance, is overwhelmed with comments and shares. Some of the surnames of those commenting are depressingly familiar.

The Wairarapa Times-Age page is one of the most influential pages in Wairarapa.

As with our other sister papers, it is used as an extension of our news service, to enhance engagement.

This powerful ability to publish comments, in the public arena, does not suddenly transport people into the realms of coherent writing. In the case of the gang clash on Miriam St in Masterton on Sunday night, the comments were largely trash talk versus trash talk. You would think they would have their own forums, other than texting, to talk rubbish, but that would require organisation.

Our forum is the largest, so it becomes the equivalent of the water fountain at work.

Perhaps I should be flattered. Having a large Facebook presence does have enormous advantages, since people are mind-bogglingly indiscreet when it comes to Facebook. But it is depressing to note the number of Maori surnames among the comments.

There are comments that talk of pride, and who did what, and who would never do such a thing.

It's absurd to talk of pride when most of Masterton looks on this incident with disgust and sadness, when we have a pool of blood on the tarmac and a woman in hospital. It's pathetic to read rants from people trying to justify themselves.

Gangs in this town have clearly lacked the stability and mana they enjoy in cities like Porirua.

I am not saying gangs are a good thing, but within them there is the ability to exhibit role model behaviour, and nationally we've seen this - especially as gang members get older, and jobs, kids and a mortgage become the priorities.

I know it's not enough to simply proclaim people should turn their lives around. There are those in Wairarapa who are badly disadvantaged. But within all of us there is the ability to hold values.

Talk on social media is cheap.

Can you set a better example?