By Vimbai Malinganiza
WHILE technological advancement has made capturing moments easier, its downside has brought our understanding of human dignity and respect under the spotlight.
The recent incident in Harare, where people arrested for taking pictures of a horrific accident scene, serves as a painful reminder of the erosion of cultural values, particularly the African philosophy of hunhu/ubuntu, and the troubling shift in societal attitudes towards human suffering.
This incident raises significant questions about the balance between the right to document and the duty to respect the dignity of others during moments of crisis.
At the core of African cultural values lies hunhu/ubuntu, a philosophy that promotes a deep sense of shared humanity and interconnectedness. ‘Hunhu/ubuntu’ is derived from the Nguni/Bantu languages of Southern Africa and can be roughly translated to mean: ‘I am, because we are’.
It encapsulates the understanding that a person’s humanity is tied to the humanity of others.
Hunhu/ubuntuemphasises empathy, compassion and mutual respect, demanding of individuals to act in ways that promote the well-being of the community and honour human dignity.
In the event of an accident or crisis, hunhu/ubuntu encourages people to care for the victims, provide support and help in any way possible.
Rather than exploiting or commodifying human suffering for personal gain or entertainment, the values of hunhu/ubuntu call on us to act in solidarity, to recognise the sanctity of human life, and to treat others with the respect they deserve.
Accidents are traumatic events, often involving loss of precious lives, pain and suffering. The victims and their families experience shock, grief and a range of other emotions in the aftermath of such events.
For bystanders to capture such moments on their cameras and phones without offering any meaningful help or showing empathy towards those affected speaks volumes about the disregard for human dignity in the modern age.
Instead of acting in the spirit of hunhu/ubuntu, those who chose to photograph the tragedy were complicit in the dehumanisation of the individuals involved.
In a world where social media platforms prioritise sensationalism and shock value, the line between documenting events for their newsworthiness and exploiting suffering for clicks and likes has become
increasingly blurred.
What might once have been considered
a deeply personal and intimate tragedy is now readily accessible to the public, often with little consideration of the privacy or feelings of those involved.
The rise of social media has further exacerbated the issue of photographing accidents and other sensitive situations. for individuals to share images and videos with a global audience.
While these platforms have undoubtedly played an important role in raising awareness about critical issues, they have also fostered a culture of voyeurism, where personal suffering is often shared without the consent of the individuals involved.
Social media platforms are driven by algorithms that reward content that generates high engagement such as ‘likes’, ‘shares’ and ‘comments’.
In this environment, shocking or distressing content tends to attract more attention, leading some individuals to prioritise the potential for viral fame over ethical considerations.
This has resulted in a dangerous trend where moments of tragedy are
commodified, and the privacy and dignity of those affected are disregarded for the sake of gaining online popularity.
In the case of the Harare incident, the individuals taking photographs were seemingly more interested in capturing the event for online consumption than in offering assistance or showing empathy.
The police were justified in arresting these citizen journalists.
In many African cultures, there is a strong emphasis on collective care and the responsibility of the community to look after each other. The act of photographing a tragedy without offering help contradicts these fundamental values.
While it is clear that there are ethical concerns surrounding the act of photographing accident scenes, there are also legal dimensions to consider. In many jurisdictions, there are laws that protect individuals’ privacy, particularly in situations where they are vulnerable or in distress.
Taking photographs or videos of accident scenes without the consent of those involved may be in violation of these privacy laws. In some cases, it may even constitute harassment or exploitation.
The law is not always swift to address these ethical violations, and the legal system often lags behind of technological advancement.
However, the growing public awareness of the negative impact of photographing accident scenes and other tragedies may prompt lawmakers to reconsider the legal frameworks surrounding privacy in the digital age.
The recent arrest in Harare should serve as a reminder that laws should be in place to protect individuals from such exploitation.
However, beyond legal measures, society must also foster a culture of respect and empathy. Hunhu/ubuntu teaches that the well-being of one is the well-being of all, and this principle should extend to the way we treat others during moments of crisis.
Education plays a pivotal role in this process. From a young age, individuals must be taught the importance of empathy, respect for other’s privacy, and the value of community.
Schools, families and communities should encourage children to embrace the values of hunhu/ubuntu, ensuring that these teachings remain relevant in a rapidly changing world.
Furthermore, social media platforms
have a responsibility to promote ethical behaviour by implementing stricter guidelines around the sharing of distressing or exploitative content.
Content that involves human suffering should be approached with caution and sensitivity, and platforms should consider implementing systems that allow individuals to report unethical behaviour related to accident photography and exploitation.
The recent incident in Harare, where people were arrested for taking pictures at an accident scene, underscores the growing disconnect between modern technology and traditional cultural values.
As society becomes increasingly interconnected through social media, we must remember that our shared humanity should always take precedence over the desire for viral fame.
The way forward lies in a collective effort to return to the fundamental principles of compassion, empathy and respect.
This requires not only legal measures but a broader cultural shift towards honouring human dignity, whether in the digital or physical world.
Only then can we begin to restore the values that bind us together as a community and ensure that the dignity of every individual is restored and protected, even in the face of tragedy
The enforcement of laws that protect the privacy and dignity of individuals in vulnerable situations is commendable and they must keep making more arrests when such incidents occur.
The police commitment to upholding these principles is a step towards
fostering a more compassionate and responsible society.
