Label-Based Judgment in Comment Sections of Online Public Events

Abstract

This paper examines the problem of label-based judgment in the comment sections of online public events. In many cases, users do not wait for full facts before making judgments. They use simple labels such as “liar,” “victim,” “bad person,” or “attention seeker” to define the people involved. These labels often spread faster than careful explanation and can shape the direction of later discussion. The essay argues that label-based judgment is different from normal public criticism. Public criticism focuses on behavior, evidence, and responsibility, while label-based judgment turns a person into a fixed image before the event is fully clear. This process may damage reputation, increase online harassment, silence careful voices, and hide the deeper problems behind public events. The essay also discusses how platforms, media accounts, and users can reduce this problem by keeping comments closer to facts, avoiding unsupported claims, and leaving space for later correction.