Have you ever heard of the term cancel culture?

Cancel culture, is a term that has recently become increasingly recognized as a phenomenon of social cancellation or blocking of individuals or groups or even an entity that is considered to have committed or supported behavior that is considered unethical or controversial.

Cancel culture is a public social sanction delivered through social media. One example is the owner of a local Indonesian cosmetics brand, Felicya Angelista, who was blasted for her statement in support of one side of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Her statement was criticized by netizens. Not only Felicya as an individual, but also to boycott Scarlett Whitening products. Cancel culture seems to be a “judge” for every individual or group or entity to respect the morals and values that exist in society.

The public seems to have the prerogative to take a stance of rejection with the power of social media, which in a matter of days, hours and even minutes can destroy a reputation.

Social media has made it easier for us to communicate, disseminate messages, and decide on a rejection.Social media has become the main weapon in the cancel culture phenomenon.News travels fast, and with social media, it can be shared at the tip of a finger.If the information is controversial, misleading, or false, the results can have a devastating impact.

In some countries such as Korea and Japan, cancel culture plays a significant role in determining reputation sustainability. This condition is different from Indonesia, where the public is easily forgiving and more open to giving a second chance to those who are considered to have violated the ethics and values of society.

In some cases in Indonesia, public figures who experience cancel culture can easily return to their careers. For example, the case of the film involving the lead singer of the band Peterpan, Ariel. This case had dimmed his career and his band. However, the public has now forgiven him, so Ariel can return to his career and is even revered as a good father when he is able to spend quality time with his child, Alleia Anata Irham. The nature of a group or society also affects the strength of cancel culture. The forgiving nature of Indonesian society more or less negates cancel culture in this country.

Seeing that cancel culture has an influence on reputation, a public relations strategy is needed, either simply or at the corporate level, to anticipate the worst possibilities. Some anticipatory steps that can be taken include building a reputation by being honest, original and paying attention to the ethics and values of the target, being consistent in producing positive work, and giving back to the target by making actions that have a positive impact or doing CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) for the corporate level.

As a public, we should also improve our digital literacy skills by being more critical in addressing a problem wisely. With the existence of qualified digital literacy, we will be more able to filter information and distinguish what is wrong and right, before yesterday we opened a discussion room in the digital space.The public must also be more careful in expressing their opinions in public spaces, considering that everything that is released to social media will become public consumption and can cause pro and con reactions.

Remember what they say, “sekejam-kejamnya Ibukota, lebih kejam ibu jari netizen!”

Author: Anindya Pramaditta
Editor: Dewi Bastina