Twitter: Bullying dressed up as right to speak

The twits are in control. Over the past fortnight we have seen two glaring examples of how Twitter is a dangerous and corrosive form of communication.

First, the appalling smear imposed on (Lord) Alistair McAlpine by tweets consumed in a frenzy of child abuse allegations was stark and disturbing. Second, another report on RTÉ’s Frontline presidential debate again reminded us that a false tweet effectively changed the course of a democratic election.

What level of damage is needed before civil society changes its attitude towards uncontrolled tweets? Will someone have to die because of a mistaken tweet first? Is it then that the great and good will wake up and realise that fundamental rules around free speech are being undermined?