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Facebook launches a campaign against hate speech in Europe
In an ironic move, Facebook launched a campaign “Online Civil Courage Initiative” in Europe to counter online hate yesterday. The initiative is only Europe wide and was launched in Berlin. Facebook has pledged to make over 1 million Euros available to European NGOs to fight online extremism across the continent. It will also be bringing together…
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Online Incitement
Dr Yvette Alt Miller has written an excellent article arguing that “Social media has become a new frontline in the war on terror”. She holds a B.A. from Harvard University, a Postgraduate Diploma in Jewish Studies from Oxford University, and a PhD In International Relations from the London School of Economic. Her article looks at…
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Report “EVOLVEFEST 2016” Event Page as Homophobic & Antisemitic
Sometimes hate can come from unexpected quarters. In this briefing we discuss the event page for “Evolvefest 2016” [Facebook ID# 1476856122592092] on Facebook being hosted by a supposed new-age, spiritual group. The new world spirituality is just a front for promoting a hippy version of Christianity. In itself, that is not a problem. Unfortunately, they…
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Confirmation bias on social media confirmed
Social media companies often counter the criticism that their platforms are being used to spread hate speech by showing how they also provide a platform for counter-speech. Thus, by providing a space for all kinds of voices, ideas and opinions, they allow a dialogue to flourish. Unfortunately, a new study by led by Michela Del Vicario of Italy’s Laboratory…
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Facebook challenged
Souce: Facebook challenged, J-Wire, 7 January 2016 An experiment run by an Israeli law centre Shurat HaDin has shown that Facebook was quick to respond to complaints about anti-Palestinian posts but slow to act on hate posts aimed at Israel. The video of the experiment conduct by Shurat Hadin on Facebook has gone viral. The video shows how…
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OHPI in The Jewish Press
“Facebook Shamed Into Taking Down Shurat Hadin Fake Page” 5 January 2016, The Jewish Press. http://www.jewishpress.com/news/facebook-shamed-into-taking-down-shurat-hadin-fake-page/2016/01/05/ First, yes, there is a thing called The Online Hate Prevention Institute (OHPI). It’s registered in Australia, and it aims to reduce the risk of suicide, self harm, substance abuse, physical abuse and emotional abuse that can result from online…
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PRESS RELEASE: Shurat Hadin Facebook experiment on Kill Israelis and Kill Palestinians
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: A number of people sent us a video of an experiment by an Israeli NGO, Sherut Hadin. In the video they created two hate pages, once against Israelis and one against Palestinians. Very similar content was posted to each page. They then reported both pages. The anti-Palestinian page was promptly removed while…
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BBC reflects with OHPI on rising online hate in 2015
Mike Wendling from the BBC has written an excellent reflection on the rising levels of online hate in 2015. The Online Hate prevention Institute is pleased our CEO, Dr Andre Oboler, was extensively interviewed for this piece. Dr Oboler spoke to the BBC about the rise during the year in anti-Muslim hate, antisemitism and misogyny and…
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Drastic Action on Online Hate
This article was originally published as: Andre Oboler, “Social media in Germany combating hateful speech“, J-Wire, 28 December 2015 At one time Germany was the origin of racist hate speech which spread across the globe. Not just speech, but speech which turned into action and fed the flames. It’s no coincidence that today the Federal…
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Regulation of Online Hate Speech goes National
Facebook, Twitter, and Google have reached agreement with the German Government over the appropriate response to tackle hate speech. The response is deletion, and the time frame is 24 hours from when it is reported. This is not a good will gesture from the companies, but like other major improvements in tackling hate speech, it…