Why Do Virtual Communities Regulate Speech?
Abstract
Virtual community research argues that regulations restricting the kinds of speech in a virtual community decrease the utility to members. However, many virtual communities enact regulations on speech within the virtual community. This research explores the contradiction through a cross-case analysis of virtual communities. It explains the contradiction between research and practice using the theory of collective identity. Communication is important for creating collective identity in virtual communities. However, multiple collective identities can arise. When one collective identity within a virtual community defines itself as adversarial to another, silencing speech emerges as adversarial collective identity creates enduring noise and flames. When the target collective identity creates formal regulations suppressing the adversarial collective identity, communication to foster the target collective identity emerges.
Recommended Citation
Chua, C. E. (2009). Why Do Virtual Communities Regulate Speech?. Communication Monographs, 76(2), pp. 234-261. National Communication Association.
The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1080/03637750902828420
Department(s)
Business and Information Technology
Keywords and Phrases
Censorship; Hate speech; Moderation; Regulation; Virtual communities
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
0363-7751; 1479-5787
Document Type
Article - Journal
Document Version
Citation
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2009 National Communication Association, All rights reserved.
Publication Date
01 Jun 2009
