What role did social networks play in the “Noisy-le-Sec affair” and more broadly, what role do they have in our society? We put the question to Arnaud Benedetti, editor-in-chief of the magazine Politique et Parlementaire.
On the night of January 8 to 9, 2022, several young men filmed themselves, hilarious, in a vehicle in circulation while the driver held the hand of a pedestrian, forced to run for several tens of meters before leaving. collapse. Video of the scene was shared on social media.
The video has been flagged multiple times on the Pharos platform, which aims to track down illegal online content and behavior. Reports that participated in the arrest and custody of two men, including the driver of the vehicle.
But what does this say about our use of social networks and their place in society? To find out more, we interviewed Arnaud Benedetti, editor-in-chief of the magazine Politique et Parlementaire.
The Pharos platform participated in the arrest of the authors of the Noisy-le-Sec video. But is it a good regulatory tool to fight against violence and inappropriate behavior on social networks? Does it provide a happy medium?
I don’t know if it’s the device that makes it possible to articulate exactly what is happening on social networks. The problem that is posed is that beyond the fact that social networks widen the public space, they can make visible a certain number of impulses that are sometimes harmful.
In the Noisy-le-Sec incident, social networks played a key role.
Social networks are a space for expression and freedom but which can sometimes give rise to moderation which is purely and simply a matter of censorship. We must now find a way to ensure that social networks constitute a public space where there can be debate and a diversity of points of view, with appropriate terms for the expression of this public space…and which avoids potentially uncontrolled passions.
But in the Noisy-le-Sec incident, social networks played a key role. Those who relayed this video by denouncing it allowed a kind of media coverage of an unbearable act which must be condemned and repressed. Without social networks, the visibility and condemnation of this act might not have existed.
Why do people systematically turn to social media whenever they have a news item — whether good or bad?
The reason is simple. It is a space that is “disintermediated”. You have free access with an immediate visibility window. You are also in control of your communication. You produce it, make it accessible and distribute it yourself. You then benefit from an extremely high potential for virality. Finally, social networks feed the modes of production and relay of information, including for the traditional media.
There is an almost universal form of social media presence in our society.
It is very rare to find individuals who are not on any social network (whatever its form). Finally, in our time, do we exist only through social networks? Is this a characteristic of our society?
It all depends on your activity. The use is also different according to generations, socio-professional categories or motivations. For a woman or a politician, it is impossible not to be on social networks. They are forums for political expression among others; but also spaces for mobilization. We have seen it, for example, with the movement of the Yellow Vests.
There is an almost universal form of social media presence in our society. This does not include all social networks. You have age groups that are more present on some and they don’t have the same use. Social networks can also give the impression of existing. I am, not because I think, but because I am on social networks.
Social networks can also give the impression of existing. I am, not because I think, but because I am on social networks.
Social networks have also become sedimented compared to other media supports without replacing them. They also came to impact other media. They are both relays and reflections. They abound traditional media and continuously.
Social networks can give the impression of existing. I am, not because I think, but because I am on social networks. They also develop tendencies towards community aggregation. We exist because we will collectively feel stronger on social networks, with algorithms that will make people who think the same thing feel more numerous and feel stronger.
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