ABSTRACT
Chapter 2 focuses on seemingly ordinary people who denounce and are denounced by others. While high-profile individuals are often involved in such cases, this chapter starts by focusing on these less prominent media users. These concerned individuals report on a wide range of minor offences, including dog feces in public spaces and plagiarism among content creators. These relations bring a duality of mediated visibility, as anybody can watch over others while also beholden to their gaze. After a brief exploration of historical contexts, this chapter offers an empirical account of mediated shaming through interviews with those engaged in these practices, including journalists, data scientists, academics and knowledge workers. Drawing on their first-hand experiences denouncing and being denounced, it addresses how individuals cope with mediated shaming in their professional as well as personal lives. While these incidents occur in localised contexts, a common finding is how cultural polarisation amplifies online strife. These experiences inform how participants make sense of watching and being watched by others, as well as personal consequences of exposure and denunciation.
