Nelson Mandela on identity politics

Naming and shaming

by Tim Harding and ChatGPT-4

When I worked as a regulatory consultant, I was often asked to consider the option of “naming and shaming“ as an alternative to regulation. Every time, I successfully argued that this would be unjust, but I think that ChatGPT-4 now presents the case better than I did.

“Naming and shaming” refers to the act of publicly calling out individuals or entities for perceived wrongs or failures. While some view it as an effective strategy to hold people or organizations accountable, many believe it is unjust for the following reasons:

1. Violation of Due Process: In many democratic societies, individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Naming and shaming might bypass due process and could result in misjudgments based on incomplete or inaccurate information. People might be wrongly accused or shamed based on unfounded rumors or biased perceptions.

2. Amplification of Mistakes: People make mistakes. When an error is magnified and publicized, it can disproportionately impact someone’s life. This is especially the case in our current digital age, where information can spread rapidly and persist indefinitely online.

3. Cyberbullying and Harassment: Naming and shaming can often lead to cyberbullying, as it encourages a mob mentality. This can result in the targeted individual receiving disproportionate backlash, including hate messages, threats, and more.

4. Lack of Context: Many times, situations are complex, and there might be reasons or circumstances unknown to the public. Naming and shaming can provide a one-sided view of an incident, leading to misunderstandings.

5. Prevents Rehabilitation: Rather than encouraging individuals to learn from their mistakes and make amends, naming and shaming can alienate and stigmatize them, making rehabilitation more challenging.

6. Affects Mental Health: The stress and humiliation from being publicly shamed can have severe mental health consequences, including depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts or actions.

7. Potential for Misuse: Naming and shaming can be weaponized for personal vendettas or to target particular groups or individuals, even if they haven’t done anything wrong.

8. Unintended Consequences: Naming and shaming might impact not just the targeted individual but also their families, friends, or associates who had nothing to do with the perceived wrongdoing.

9. Mistakes are Permanent in the Digital Age: Once something is posted online, it’s almost impossible to completely erase. Even if a person is later found to be innocent or if they genuinely change and rehabilitate, the digital trail of their past shaming can haunt them indefinitely.

10. Erosion of Empathy: Societies thrive when there’s mutual respect and understanding. A culture of naming and shaming can erode empathy and reduce the willingness to understand or forgive others.

That said, some argue that in specific contexts, public accountability can be a tool for justice, especially when institutional systems fail to hold wrongdoers accountable. However, it’s essential to approach such actions with caution, ensuring they are based on facts and that the response is proportionate to the wrongdoing.