-Caveat Lector-
Look who wants to censor others and define what constitutes 'hate'
speech. Perhaps these fine organizations should cock their ears
toward Israel and address that problem before presuming to have
some sort of monopoly on the subject.
~Amelia~
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Sunday, September 02, 2001 11:38 PM
Subject: [Conspiranoia!] Battling online hate
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/americas/newsid_1516000/1516
271
.stm
By BBC News Online's Kevin Anderson in Washington
One of the issues on the agenda at the World Conference on Racism
in
South Africa is the role of the media - including the internet - in
addressing racism.
For years, anti-racism activists have worked to raise awareness as
hate groups have embraced the web and used it to spread their
message.
But anti-racism activists and the organisers of the UN conference
of
Durban understand that just as the internet has allowed hate groups
to spread their message, it has also proven a powerful tool to
communicate the message of tolerance.
The issue highlights one of the great debates: How does a
democratic
society respond to racist or other offensive speech without
trampling
the right of free expression?
Online since 1995
Concern about hate speech on the internet began in the United
States
shortly after the launch of the first American white supremacist
website, Stormfront in March 1995.
The site was created by Don Black, a former member of the Ku Klux
Klan and a computer consultant.
Mr Black says that the internet has proven to be an invaluable tool
for recruiting people to his white nationalist cause.
Since Stormfront was established, hundreds, and by some estimates,
thousands of racist websites have been launched.
And anti-racism campaigners say that websites, e-mail and online
discussion groups have become powerful recruiting, fundraising and
indoctrination tools for racist and hate groups.
Pressuring ISPs
The Simon Wiesenthal Centre identified some 3,000 "problematic"
websites in its most recent Digital Hate report.
The centre defines problematic as those sites that promote racial
violence, anti-Semitism, homophobia, hate music and terrorism.
It has pressured internet service providers to pull the plug on
some
sites including Stormfront.
But the centre's high-profile battle with hate websites has
sometimes
been criticised by civil liberties groups.
In 1996, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) said the centre
was right in trying to bring to light the activities of hate groups
online.
But ACLU criticised the centre for its call for ISPs to close them
down.
The ACLU said: "It is particularly troublesome that an organisation
like the Wiesenthal Center that is dedicated to promoting tolerance
would seek to erode the liberty most necessary for a free and
tolerant society - free speech."
Free expression and racism
It highlights the debate that anti-racism groups face in battling
hateful and racist speech both offline and online.
In a report on how racist groups use the web, the Anti-Defamation
League (ADL) said: "Combating online extremism presents enormous
technological and legal difficulties."
Even if it were technically possible to completely block access to
racist websites, the international nature of the medium makes
regulation almost impossible, the ADL said, and such regulation
would
run foul of free speech guarantees in countries such as the United
States.
Similarly, conference organisers in Durban are set to address the
issue of how to balance free expression with the use of new
technologies, including the internet, promoting racist beliefs and
attitudes.
But many groups including the ADL have highlighted ways in which
they
believe the balance can be struck.
The ADL suggests that concerned internet users install filtering
software and alert authorities to threatening or violent messages
online.
But more than rejecting racist speech online, the ADL also suggests
that internet users fight fire with fire.
"As a powerful technological tool that permits instantaneous
communication between disparate populations across the globe, the
internet can promote cultural tolerance in a larger sense," the
group
says.
"The internet has the potential to reinforce respect for all
people's
voices, to truly become what some have already called it 'the great
equalizer'."
<A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/";>www.ctrl.org</A>
DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER
==========
CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic
screeds are unwelcomed. Substance�not soap-boxing�please! These are
sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'�with its many half-truths, mis-
directions and outright frauds�is used politically by different groups with
major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought.
That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and
always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no
credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply.
Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector.
========================================================================
Archives Available at:
http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html
<A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html";>Archives of
[EMAIL PROTECTED]</A>
http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/
<A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/";>ctrl</A>
========================================================================
To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email:
SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email:
SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Om
