The new Online Safety Bill isn’t just about child safety. The Act now requires all companies to take firm action against illegal content and activity: including racially or religiously aggravated public order offences.
It’s important to understand that a public racist post, such as “we should sink their boats,” whether you mean it seriously or as a joke, can, in today’s climate, it can get you; and me; into serious trouble.
We don’t need a debate about whether a few words on social media should result in a fine or even prison time. Suffice to say, it’s where we are!
Racist remarks have no place here and will lead to bans
Many Funsters are “men of a certain age,” and it’s easy to forget that what was once considered acceptable may not be now. A couple of times a month, someone reports a post they believe is racist. Often, they’re right; someone simply hasn’t thought it through. The comment gets deleted, and I’ll usually send them a brief message explaining why.
However, sometimes they’re wrong, and the comment isn’t racist at all in my opinion.
Non Racist Remarks
Let’s look at a few examples; these are all real forum posts that have been reported as racist:
- “I think the country is taking in too many immigrants; it’s putting pressure on housing and the NHS.”
- “I’ve got no problem with immigration, but I think the current levels aren’t sustainable.”
- “I’m angry about the pressure immigrants place on local schools and GPs.”
- “I miss how things used to feel in our city; it’s changed a lot, and not for the better.”
In my opinion, none of the above comments are racist. However, I’ll say this: if you see something that feels racist or borderline racist, report it. It’s always better to report than not, it may well be. So report it and let me decide.
I would think I can easily defend the forum on statements like these. Concerns around the economy, infrastructure strain, or how well or poor immigrants integrate are valid. As are discussions about immigration policy or numbers, they don’t automatically equate to racism.
Racist Remarks
Things do quickly become racist when comments start to generalise entire groups; as Threats, Criminals, or Inferior. When people are dehumanised, described as an “invasion” or a “plague,” or when language is used to incite hate or division,it crosses the line and can legally be defined as racist.
Here are some examples of actual reported posts that would be difficult to defend:
- “They don’t belong here.”
- “They should all go back where they came from.”
- “They’re all criminals/spongers/dangerous.”
- “I don’t want them living next to me.”
- “They come here and it’s take, take, take.”
Look at how those sentences label whole groups, it would be terribly difficult to defend the forum against posts like these.
So that is where we are, when it comes to these matters, please think before you post, you could get yourself and the forum into a lot of trouble. We just don’t need it here. Let’s keep it Fun. Thanks.