STOP ONLINE HATE
the problem
Social media platforms are playing an active role in spreading online hate and misinformation
Ever notice that your newsfeed isn’t in chronological order?
That’s because social media platforms’ algorithms filter and organize your newsfeed so that you see what they think you’ll be most engaged with.
Sometimes that engaging content is controversial, sensationalized and or hateful content because it drives up interactions.
Anti-Hate Speech Laws Have Been REMOVED and Current Laws Are INEFFECTIVE In Prosecuting And Combatting Online Hate.
With the removal of section 13 of the Canadian Human Rights Act in 2013, Canada’s current laws fail to adequately address hate speech of any kind, let alone online hate. Instead, the law requires a complicated and often unsuccessful criminal prosecution to prosecute and remove any hate speech.
WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE
December 2020 – Our Legislative Proposal
- That there be a robust definition of hate speech that encapsulates cases of veiled racism and fake news, and that does not require proof of intent.
- That social media companies be compelled to remove hate speech expeditiously.
- That an AI (artificial intelligence) or otherwise automated identification and notification tool be developed and adopted to flag hate speech for removal.
- That a tribunal be set up to make determinations of whether content constitutes hate speech and is empowered to compel the removal or re-upload of content.
- That penalties be sufficiently high to discourage social media companies from allowing harmful material on their platforms, as opposed to a “cost of business”.
- That at least some portion of those penalties be provided to injured parties and communities
KEY UPDATES
March 30, 2022 – Engaging the Expert Advisory Group on Online Safety
We are seeking community input on what recommendations should be included. Click the link below to provide us with your submissions!
HAVE YOUR SAY
What should Canada include in its legislation to combat harmful content online?
July 29, 2021 – The Government has finally taken action (sort of)
The framework sets out many of the recommendations CCNC-SJ made in its proposal to the Minister of Canadian Heritage in 2020 :
- which entities would be subject to the new rules;
- what types of harmful content would be regulated;
- new rules and obligations for regulated entities; and
- two new regulatory bodies and an Advisory Board to administer and oversee the new framework and enforce its rules and obligations.
September 28, 2021 – CCNC-SJ’s submissions on the Canadian Government’s proposed approach to address harmful content online
- The appointment, role and powers of the advisory board.
- The burden placed on victims by the legislation to report and appeal instances of hate.
- The lack of clarity on the third-party report process.
- The lack of clear uniformity in the reporting process.
- The lack of more stringent enforcement measures.
- The lack of clarity and guidelines concerning the role of police.
- The need for more research on social media algorithms and how people respond to regulation.
- Better measures of efficacy and adaptability of regulations.
A Third Party Tech Solution
CCNC-SJ is working with others, including the Schwartz Reizman Institute’s Professor Ishtiaque Ahmed to harness and develop Artificial Intelligence tools and algorithmic learning to track hate speech on social media.
Our tool will identify trends in hate speech, identify and fact check with the option of hiding online hate and fake news in social media posts.
2021 NATIONAL FORUM SUPPORTING LEGISLATION TO COMBAT ONLINE HATE
The spread of online hate speech and malicious disinformation have weaponized social media and directly contributed to the global increase of real-world hate crimes and terrorist attacks around the world.
An important part of the solution is to establish national legislation to combat online hate. With messages from Jagmeet Singh
Other Resources
