Are We a Bigger Problem Than We Realize?

Abstract

Abstract The impact of social media — in particular Twitter — on the field of international criminal justice cannot be overstated. Thanks to an active community of online commentators made up primarily of academics, researchers, staff of non-governmental organizations and journalists, Twitter is a vibrant place to monitor the pulse of international criminal law generally and the International Criminal Court specifically. Twitter, thus, uniquely elevates a comparatively small commentator class and amplifies their narratives about the field of international criminal justice. Yet with an apparent lack of voices from across the diverse community of practitioners, or the input of diplomats and technocrats who make the field possible, commentators may exert a disproportionate influence over public perceptions of international criminal justice. Cognisant of the stark interplay between politics and law in international criminal justice — often including powerful forces with nefarious agendas — and an abundance of individuals motivated by a desire to be seen and heard, this community may at times exhibit problematic behaviours (unwittingly or otherwise). This article dissects these issues of online communication, and argues that greater care with commentary may be the best salve to these cultural flaws in the formation of public perception.