Reason is hard to find. Shameless insults, hate mail and death threats are the order of the day. In the relative anonymity of the internet, everything seems to be permitted. Only a few people are concerned with privacy, burden of proof or finding the truth. Boundaries are blurred, which puts pressure on the legal process. Lawyers are rubbing their hands in glee, because suspects have already been publicly convicted in advance. A better plea for reduced sentences is hardly conceivable.
Self-righteousness
Research shows that many people accept digital channels as a method of investigation. Consulting firm Accenture list to dataconducted a sample of social media users . Of the respondents, 72 percent believe that social media can help solve crimes. More than half believe that social media can help the police in all areas.
According to professor Henri Beunders of Erasmus University, the danger of taking the law into one’s own hands is lurking . In his eyes, it is only a matter of time before someone becomes the victim of an act of revenge. People have the right to defend themselves, but that is something different than taking the law into caseno data one’s own hands. Self-defense is often used as an excuse to justify excessive violence.
Beunders investigated the role of social media
A in police investigations. He sees many advantages in citizen investigations via digital channels. However, he warns of the phone calls allow for more personalize interactions consequences. According to the professor of History of Society, Media & Culture, citizens must remain aware of their role in the constitutional state. He also points out ethical objections to naming & shaming. Images that end up on the internet are never removed. Alleged perpetrators and victims experience the consequences for the rest of their lives.
justiceThe Ministry of Security and Justice is less scrupulous. Minister Opstelten is a warm advocate of unorthodox investigation methods . State Secretary Teeven also takes this resolute line. During a burglary in Diessen in Brabant, the intruder was killed after a confrontation with the residents. Teeven called it a ‘ burglar risk ‘.