The Jewish Independent has covered the way the social media platforms are failing to detect and deal with online antisemitism. In their article on the first week of the Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion Hearing Block 3, they cover testimony explaining the nature of the online hate received, and expert witnesses on the failure of social media platforms to remove posts and block users.
The Jewish Independent writes “But the sobering takeaway from this week’s sessions is that purveyors of online hate mostly do not need subterfuge. The RC was told repeatedly this week that social media platforms operating in Australia have their doors ajar to haters. The result is what Bondi Beach survivor Arsen Ostrovsky, in testimony, described as a “relentless, vicious cesspool”.”
Among the expert witnesses was OHPI’s Dr Andre Oboler (top right), who explained how the social media platforms algorithms expose Jews to a higher level of online hate, and how X (Twitter) in particular has become more toxic after it’s acquisition by Elon Musk.
Data collected by OHPI using a consistent methodology provides clear evidence of the growing problem of online antisemitism, which can be presented in forums like the Royal Commission. This kind of evidence is vital is proving that online hate is a real, pervasive problem on today’s internet.