The Progressive

NewsWire

A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release
Contact:

Robyn Shepherd, media@aiusa.org

Facebook Must Help 'Lead Fight Against Hate Speech Online'

Responding to the news that Facebook will no longer allow content supporting white nationalism and white separatism to be published, Tanya O'Carroll, Director of Amnesty International Tech, said:

"As the world's largest social media network, Facebook must help to lead the fight against the spread of hate speech online.

"Increasingly we have seen how groups advocating and inciting discrimination and violence online can have damaging and dangerous consequences in the real world.

WASHINGTON

Responding to the news that Facebook will no longer allow content supporting white nationalism and white separatism to be published, Tanya O'Carroll, Director of Amnesty International Tech, said:

"As the world's largest social media network, Facebook must help to lead the fight against the spread of hate speech online.

"Increasingly we have seen how groups advocating and inciting discrimination and violence online can have damaging and dangerous consequences in the real world.

"Companies, along with governments, have a responsibility to make digital spaces safer for everyone."

Facebook announced on Wednesday that it will block "praise, support and representation of white nationalism and separatism" on the platform, as well as on Instagram, from next week.

This statement can be found online at https://www.amnestyusa.org/press-releases/global-facebook-must-help-lead-fight-against-hate-speech-online

Follow Amnesty International USA on Twitter.

Amnesty International is a global movement of millions of people demanding human rights for all people - no matter who they are or where they are. We are the world's largest grassroots human rights organization.

(212) 807-8400