The new Online Safety Bill isn’t just about child safety. The Act now requires all companies to take firm action against illegal content and activity: including racially or religiously aggravated public order offences.
It’s important to understand that a public racist post; for example, saying “we should sink their boats” Whether meant seriously or as a joke, can land both you and MotorhomeFun in serious trouble in today’s climate.
We don’t need a debate about whether a few words on social media should result in a fine or even prison time. Suffice to say, it’s where we are!
Many Funsters are “men of a certain age,” and it’s easy to forget that what was once acceptable may no longer be today.A couple of times a month, someone reports a post they believe is racist. Often, they’re right; someone simply hasn’t thought it through. The comment gets deleted, and I’ll usually send them a brief message explaining why.
RACIST REMARKS HAVE NO PLACE HERE AND WILL LEAD TO BANS
Sometimes people call something racist when, here on MotorhomeFun, we wouldn’t see it that way.
Let’s look at a few examples; these are all real forum posts that have been reported as racist:
We think we can easily defend the forum on statements like these. Concerns around the economy, infrastructure strain, or how well or poor immigrants integrate are valid. As are discussions about immigration policy or numbers because they don’t automatically equate to racism.
Things do quickly become racist when comments start to generalise entire groups; as Threats, Criminals, or Inferior. When people are dehumanised, described as an “invasion” or a “plague,” or when language is used to incite hate or division,it crosses the line and can legally be defined as racist.
Here are some examples of actual reported posts that would be difficult to defend:
So that is where we are! When it comes to these matters, please think before you post, you could get yourself and the forum into a lot of trouble. We just don’t need it here. Let’s keep it Fun. Thanks.
It’s important to understand that a public racist post; for example, saying “we should sink their boats” Whether meant seriously or as a joke, can land both you and MotorhomeFun in serious trouble in today’s climate.
We don’t need a debate about whether a few words on social media should result in a fine or even prison time. Suffice to say, it’s where we are!
Many Funsters are “men of a certain age,” and it’s easy to forget that what was once acceptable may no longer be today.A couple of times a month, someone reports a post they believe is racist. Often, they’re right; someone simply hasn’t thought it through. The comment gets deleted, and I’ll usually send them a brief message explaining why.
RACIST REMARKS HAVE NO PLACE HERE AND WILL LEAD TO BANS
Sometimes people call something racist when, here on MotorhomeFun, we wouldn’t see it that way.
Let’s look at a few examples; these are all real forum posts that have been reported as racist:
- “I think the country is taking in too many immigrants; it’s putting pressure on housing and the NHS.”
- “I’ve got no problem with immigration, but I think the current levels aren’t sustainable.”
- “I’m angry about the pressure immigrants place on local schools and GPs.”
- “I miss how things used to feel in our city; it’s changed a lot, and not for the better.”
We think we can easily defend the forum on statements like these. Concerns around the economy, infrastructure strain, or how well or poor immigrants integrate are valid. As are discussions about immigration policy or numbers because they don’t automatically equate to racism.
Things do quickly become racist when comments start to generalise entire groups; as Threats, Criminals, or Inferior. When people are dehumanised, described as an “invasion” or a “plague,” or when language is used to incite hate or division,it crosses the line and can legally be defined as racist.
Here are some examples of actual reported posts that would be difficult to defend:
- “They don’t belong here.”
- “All travellers are thieving scum.”
- “They should all go back where they came from.”
- “They’re all criminals/spongers/dangerous.”
- “I don’t want them living next to me.”
- “They come here, and it’s take, take, take.”
So that is where we are! When it comes to these matters, please think before you post, you could get yourself and the forum into a lot of trouble. We just don’t need it here. Let’s keep it Fun. Thanks.
