EN.MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, YOGYAKARTA – The verbal sexual harassment experienced by young Indonesian musician Nadhif Basalamah on social media serves as a reminder that communication ethics and digital literacy remain significant challenges for society.
Fajar Junaedi, a communication and media expert as well as a lecturer in the Communication Study Program at Muhammadiyah University of Yogyakarta (UMY), stated that the incident demonstrates that digital spaces have yet to become truly safe and respectful environments for everyone.
Sexualized Comments Violate Human Dignity
Fajar noted that, from the perspective of communication ethics, the sexually suggestive comments directed at Nadhif constitute a violation of human dignity.
“Digital spaces should be places for exchanging ideas, expressing appreciation, and offering conconstructive criticism. These spaces should not be used as arenas for objectification and harassment,” Fajar said on Tuesday (30/6)
Communication ethics treated every individual as a subject with inherent rights, emotion, and dignity deserving of respect. When someone is reduced to an object of fantasy through inappropriate comments, communication becomes a form of dehumanization.
Fajar further explained the standpoint of deontological ethics developed by philosopher Immanuel Kant. Such behavior, he said, contradicts universal moral principles. Deontology holds that human beings must always be treated as ends in themselves, never merely as means to satisfy personal desires or interests.
“Therefore, sexually harassing comments cannot be justified, even if the perpetrators claim they were only joking or had no malicious intent. Morally, such actions violate our obligation to respect fellow human beings,” he explained.
Freedom of Expression Must Be Accompanied by Responsibility
Fajar emphasized that freedom of expression is an essential element of a democratic society. However, it cannot be separated from ethical responsibility. When a comment humiliates, harms, or negatively affects another person’s mental well-being, it crosses the boundaries of moral conduct.
He also pointed out that the case reflects the public’s still-limited level of digital literacy. Digital literacy, he explained, is not merely the ability to use social media or understand technology. It also includes critical thinking, empathy, and responsibility for one’s digital footprint.
“One crucial aspect of digital literacy is digital empathy,” Fajar said. “That is the ability to recognize that behind every social media account is a real person with feelings. They may experience psychological distress because of the comments they receive,” he added.
For this reason, Fajar encouraged social media users to develop the habit of reflecting before posting comments. Simple questions such as ‘does this comment respect other people?’ or ‘would I say this directly to their face?’ should become part of responsible online behavior.
Speaking Out Helps Build Awareness
Moreover, Fajar viewed Nadhif Basalamah’s decision to publicly voice his objection as a positive example of digital literacy. By speaking out, Nadhif helped raise public awareness about the importance of creating safer digital spaces.
According to Fajar, the incident should not be seen merely as an individual case. Rather, it should be treated as a reflection of broader issues within today’s digital society. Without stronger communication ethics and improved digital literacy, online platforms risk becoming hostile environments where people feel unsafe to create, express opinions, or interact.
“Building a culture of respectful communication is a shared responsibility. Everyone must remember that behind every screen is a human being with dignity, emotions. They have the right to be treated with respect. By promoting communication ethics and strengthening digital literacy, we can create a more humane, safe, and respectful digital environment,” he concluded.
