Race, Religion Targeted
Recently I found an article related to the minds of some people who post on social media. To my way of looking at things, anybody who was properly motivated and working towards their goals would never have time to waste venting on social media. I personally am only interested in social media for commercial purposes, i.e advertising.
The article appeared in Melbourne Australia’s Herald Sun on p 70 on Wednesday 26th December, it was researched by Aneeka Simonis and Mark Butler.
All problems stem from the human ego and this type of behavior is an example of just that, who could be bothered?
Anyway see what you reckon….
Rise of online hate speech
Race, religion targeted
RACIAL and religious discrimination is on the rise in Victoria, and experts say social media is a key driver.
More than 60 serious vilification charges were laid by Victoria Police in the past five years.
Anti-discrimination authorities said the charges represented a fraction of the offending, and platforms such as Facebook and YouTube were being used as a “weapon” to carry out hate crimes.
Crime Statistics Agency figures obtained by the Herald Sun show in 2017-18 police issued charges for 15 “incite racial hatred and contempt” offences, which included threats to harm. Two offences of incite religious hatred were also recorded.
The number of offences was more than four times those recorded five years earlier.
The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission received 136 complaints of racial discrimination during the same period, up 76 per cent on last year.
Religious discrimination complaints rose by 35 per cent to 42 complaints made over the 12-month period.
In some cases, individuals said they were denied access to public venues even when they had a ticket to an event.
Anti-Defamation Commission chairman Dr Dvir Abramovich said individuals and groups were increasingly using online forums to attack and rally support against minority groups.
“It gives them a megaphone to promote their toxic messages inexpensively, instantaneously, and anonymously,” he said.
Victoria Police Priority Communities Division Acting Superintendent Sue Thomas said many vilification incidents went unreported, and that victims should feel confident to come forward.
“We will not tolerate any behavior that incites someone to treat another indecently. Everyone has a right to their religion and beliefs,” she said.
However Dr Abramovich said many victims feared coming forward.
“Such offences are often not reported because the victims are reluctant to deal with police, or are concerned about being re-victimized during the legal process, or are simply too afraid to relieve the episode,” he said.
Last year, United Patriots Front leader Blair Cottrell and supporters Neil Erikson and Christopher Neil Shortis were charged and fined over a video stunt in which a dummy was “beheaded” in a protest against a mosque in Bendigo.