Communication is such a common part of our everyday life that we forget about its meaning and value. We forget that good communication is ‘the thing’ that builds our relationships with people around us and instils connections. It helps us get our thoughts and ideas across to the other person. It is all about being able to express oneself and get the other person to understand our point of view.
When we think about communication, the first thing that comes to our mind is talking or messaging someone. But communication is not limited to only these two methods.
Any way through which you are able to express yourself and communicate your thoughts and ideas to others is also a form of communication. For artists, the paint and the canvas show their thoughts. For dancers and actors, their movements are able to communicate to the audience what they are feeling. For singers, their voice is just enough to express their emotions.
The way we communicate has a
major impact on the audience. For example, while I might be a great speaker but I don't interact with the audience in an enthusiastic manner, I would not be inspiring them despite me communicating my thoughts to them. Take, for example, a teacher, who is able to communicate well with students, can inspire them to learn and participate in class.
Effective communication and body language go hand in hand. As per a research study ‘Body language: An effective communication tool’, by D.S Patel. In this paper, he discusses the interpretation of body language. Simple things like facial expressions and gestures have a great impact when we communicate. For example, we are able to express the feeling of disgust by wrinkling our nose or frowning to show confusion, without having to actually say anything.
Stuck at home due to the ongoing pandemic, face to face interactions and communication has come to a standstill. Yet we have found ways to communicate through Zooms, Teams and all these mediums. Oh and let’s not forget social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. While all these platforms allow us to communicate with our friends & family, they sometimes also pose threats.
More often than not, posts are removed from social media if they express controversial opinions.
In an article by BBC, Twitter has expressed concern over freedom of expression in India.
But what exactly is freedom of expression?
According to Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution, all citizens have the right to freedom of speech and expression. This means that all citizens have the right to express their views and opinions freely. The Supreme Court has also ruled that freedom of speech is an inalienable right adjunct to the right to life. Freedom of Speech and Expression is a fundamental right of a citizen. The failure of the State to guarantee this freedom to all classes of citizens will be a violation of their fundamental rights. However, sometimes restrictions can be placed even on this freedom. If our speech in any way disrupts public order, or threatens the security, sovereignty and integrity of the country, or defames someone this right can be taken away.
Do you remember the protests that broke out over the Citizenship Amendment Act 2019? During that time, many journalists and even those against the Act were arrested by the police. But why? They were simply expressing themselves. Siraj Bisaralli, a poet and a journalist, had been arrested in connection with a recital of a poem against CAA in Karnataka. However, in Tripura, the High Court ordered the police to not prosecute an activist who was arrested over a social media post where he criticized an online campaign in support of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 2019 and warned people against it. As per the High Court, the individual had the right to express himself and hence the police could not do anything to him.
By protesting against the Act, citizens were communicating their demands and opinions to the government.
In more recent times, the Pegasus Spyware has been in the news. It is developed, marketed and licensed to governments around the world by the Israeli company NSO Group. What is dangerous about this spyware is that it actually takes away your right to privacy and restricts your freedoms. It can copy the messages that you send or receive, the photos you have on your device, it can also film and record through your phone's microphone and camera. The spyware can also potentially pinpoint where you are who you've met.
‘Most of Pegasus’s 1,400 victims across the world were activists’
-Times of India
Human Rights activists, journalists and lawyers around the world have been targeted with this spyware.. sold to authoritarian governments by an Israeli firm. Indian ministers, government officials and opposition leaders also were on the ‘list’.
Living in a world surrounded by AI and technology, certain things like using malware seem inevitable. But we as citizens of our nation and the world can protect ourselves from such harmful things by staying aware.
On a personal level, you can keep your devices up to date, have strong passwords and security software installed.
Speaking up for others, when their rights get violated is equally important. One can file a case against the institution or individual who took away your freedom. While it does not seem very pleasant to enter into a legal case, it is quite necessary to prevent violations of rights.
To sum up, communication starts with oneself understanding and communicating their own thoughts and feelings TO ONESELF. Followed by being aware of what is being communicated around us and finally, standing up and communicating for what is just for oneself and others!
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