Ethical Social Media Use in Higher Educations Institutions 251destruction^1 both publicly^2 , and in all forms of the media, especially the
social media, 3.
14.2 The Higher Education Response
Two observations emerge from this scenario. Firstly, one discerns a
failure of existing higher education leadership and governance models to
accommodate this new dynamic. Secondly, one discerns a total
disregard for the social mores, the ethics, around communication that
have traditionally prevailed in civil society. One notes, for example,
instances of deliberate public humiliation of various vice chancellors
who have quite literally been forced to submit to the will of students and
who have had their humiliation filmed and commented on in the news
and social media (Nkosi, B. 2015). Similarly eminent politicians have
had mocking songs sung about them in public or commanded to kneel
upon receiving student demands (SAPA, 2012). All of these instances
exhibit a total disregard for traditional mores.
The ‘hashtag’ (#) symbol and the aligned sloganeering speak to the
centrality and prevalence of social media in these movements, both as a
means of engendering solidarity for the cause(s) and their accretive
power as vehicles for garnering support, disseminating opinion,
organizing and planning logistical operations and mobilizing supporters
(Ojigho 2014). What began as a social expression of solidarity swiftly
1
The Citizen. 22.11.2015, Emily Cork. TUT exam hall torched.
http://citizen.co.za/878027/tut-exam 2 -hall-torched/
Eyewitness News. Ziyanda Ncgobo. 1 March 2016. NWU & WSU REMAIN
CLOSED, UFS RESUMES CLASSES. http://ewn.co.za/2016/02/29/NWU-
WSU 3 -remain-closed-UFS-resumes-classes
EYEWITNESS NEWS. 17/02/2016. #UCT: VICE-CHANCELLOR'S OFFICE
PETROL BOMBED IN OVERNIGHT PROTESTS. Siyabonga Sesant &
Lauren Isaacs. http://ewn.co.za/2016/02/17/Protesting-students-arrested-as-
UCT-vice-chancellor-condemns-violence.