One of the most significant forms of hate speech that OHPI combats is online racism. The Macquarie Dictionary (Sixth Edition, 2013) defines racism as:
noun 1. the belief that human races have distinctive characteristics which determine their respective cultures, usually involving the idea that one’s own race is superior and has the right to rule or dominate others.
2. a policy or system of government and society based upon such a belief.
3. behaviour or language based on this kind of belief in relation to a person or persons of a particular race, colour, descent, or national or ethnic origin, either demonstrating an inherent prejudice without specific hostile intent or, alternatively, intended to offend, insult, humiliate, or intimidate.
Our reports, briefings and campaigns have covered online expressions of both supremacist speech (speech claiming the superiority of one race over all others, for example, white supremacy) and racist speech directed against a specific group (for example, antisemitic speech (attacking Jews) and speech denigrating Indigenous Australians).
Australian federal law makes racism unlawful under section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act (see our video explaining section 18C). Each Australian state has further laws prohibiting racism. Racism is defined under the legislation to include race, nationality and ethnic origin. In Victoria, religious vilification (for example Anti-Muslim hate) is treated in similar terms to racism (for example Antisemitism).
Index
Campaign (September 2020) – Combating Online Racism and Xenophobia
During the month of September we will be running a special campaign to combat online Racism and Xenophobia. The campaign aims to increase the focus on preventing this particular area of online hate. Special donations can be made to support this specific campaign and are welcome at any time.
Below is a list of our publications documenting, reporting and highlighting instances of online racist speech.
Articles
All
Briefings
Reports
Media
Books
July 1, 2015: How to Combat Online Antisemitism (eBook)
August 8, 2014: Facebook Reporting Guide
Government Submissions & Engagement
OHPI also produces submissions for governments and white papers for the industry.
January 31, 2017: Evidence given when appearing before the Freedom of Speech / S18C Inquiry
December 9, 2016: Submission to Joint Parliamentary Committee on Human Right’s Inquiry into Freedom of Speech (and S18C)
December 14, 2015: OHPI joins All Together Now for #silencetheracists campaign
December 2, 2015: Presentation in the UN (New York)
November 25, 2015: OHPI at the JCCV Award Night
November 25, 2015: OHPI attends JCCV AGM
October 14, 2015: Minister Robin Scott commends OHPI’s work
August 31, 2015: OHPI attends the ADC Gandel annual oration
August 30, 2015: OHPI invites you to a guided tour of Anne Frank Exhibition
August 13, 2015: Governance of NGOs conference
August 9, 2015: OHPI attends Community Leadership Conference
August 4, 2015: Talk on Online Hate to B’nai B’rith’s Raoul Wallenberg Unit
July 8, 2015: OHPI participates in ASLA panel discussion
July 16 & 17, 2015: Attending the Advancing Community Cohesion conference
June 7, 2015: OHPI presents at Limmud Oz
May 12-14, 2015: 12th biennial Seminar on antisemitism
April 20, 2015: Talk at La Trobe University
April 13, 2015: OHPI’s CEO wins Jewish Changemakers Award
March 10, 2014: OHPI’s Submission to the Australian government on Online Safety
April 30, 2014: RDA and Freedom of Speech
April 17, 2015: Victorian Minister for Multicultural Affairs responds to OHPI Report
March 23, 2015: OHPI at the first Official Jewish-Muslim Dinner in Victoria
March 20, 2015: Attorney-General Responds to OHPI Report
Videos
August 19, 2014: What does Online Hate Prevention Institute (OHPI) Do?
July 14, 2014: Lady Diamond explains what Section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act really means
June 16, 2014: Meet Lady Diamond, anti-Hate campaigner at the Online Hate Prevention Institute
September 2, 2013: Stop Racism & Online Hate with OHPI
Community Engagement
November 30, 2015: OHPI at the Executive Council of Australian Jewry’s AGM
November 25, 2015: OHPI at FWD 2015
November 25, 2015: OHPI at the JCCV Award Night
November 25, 2015: OHPI attends JCCV AGM
November 18, 2015: OHPI represented at a national conference on multiculturalism
November 16, 2015: OHPI interviewed by SBS Urdu
August 9. 2015: OHPI attends the Community Leadership Conference
August 4, 2015: Talk on Online Hate to B’nai B’rith’s Raoul Wallenberg Unit
July 16, 2015: Attending the Advancing Community Cohesion conference
July 28, 2015: OHPI at the IREA Eid Dinner
June 26, 2015: OHPI attends the Iftar Dinner at the Victorian State Parliament
June 7, 2015: OHPI presents at Limmud Oz
June 5, 2015: 12th biennial Seminar on antisemitism
May 10, 2015: OHPI presents FightAgainstHate.com at conference on antisemitism at the Tel Aviv University
May 4, 2015: OHPI offers its assistance to the Victorian government to tackle threats and strengthen harmony
April 20, 2015: Talk at La Trobe University
April 13, 2015: OHPI’s CEO wins Jewish Changemaker Award
March 23, 2015: OHPI at the first Official Jewish-Muslim Dinner in Victoria
March 15, 2015: OHPI attends RDA@40
February 19&20, 2015: Community Consultation on RDA
Feb 9, 2015: OHPI attends the World Interfaith Harmony Week at the Victorian Parliament
Feb 9, 2015: Talk at the Council of Christians and Jews
Feb 9, 2015: Talk at North Eastern Jewish Centre
February 5, 2015: World Interfaith Harmony Week at the Victorian Parliament
November 24, 2014: OHPI participates in the AGM of JCCV
October 29, 2015: OHPI in a seminar on social media and the law
Oct 26, 27, 2014: OHPI at the Facing Today’s Reality Seminar in New Zealand
September 6, 2014: Presenting Fight Against Hate to FECCA
August 21, 2015: Talk on Cyber-Racism & Social Media
Newsletters
July 28, 2015 – Reclaiming Australia from bigots