Online hatred is linked to real-world violence, yet social media platforms often mishandle hate speech.

NEW YORK, NY, March 31, 2022 /24-7PressRelease/ — StopAntisemitism, a watchdog organization dedicated to exposing those espousing hatred towards the Jewish people and State, is disturbed at the ever increasing rise of antisemitism and other forms of hate speech in the digital landscape.

While online hatred has been linked to real-world violence against Jews, LGBTQ individuals, racial minorities, and other marginalized groups, social media platforms frequently mishandle hate speech, allowing it to flourish rather than blocking harmful content. At the same time, these platforms often block content posted by advocacy groups such as StopAntisemitism and others that seek to counter hate speech.

It’s naïve for social media operators to consider themselves as mere neutral publishers. Rather, they are content curators responsible for upholding their community guidelines and developing a set of strategies to help them deal with fake news and hate.

“In a world where the majority of people are turning to social media as their go-to source for news, it’s even more crucial that digital platforms do everything in their power to protect users against hatred and violence,” says StopAntisemitism Executive Director Liora Rez.

Today, most social media providers rely on a mix of Artificial Intelligence and human-driven editorial processes to help filter certain types of objectionable content, including hate speech. But today’s digital landscape requires a narrower scope rather than this macro approach:

• Identify harmful topics — antisemitism, LGBTQ hate, racial hatred, anti-Asian sentiment, etc.
• Incendiary conspiracy theories – flat earth, anti-vax propaganda, QAnon, etc. — should also be targeted.
• Once those micro-topics are identified, a more comprehensive plan to address the hate speech surrounding these subjects can begin to take shape.

“Blocking is the preferable tactic. But if that isn’t achievable, incendiary content must be countered by actively promoting credible, alternative sources of information,” Rez asserts. “Otherwise, fake news and hate speech will continue to flourish on social media and inspire violence in our society.”

About Liora Rez

A refugee from the former Soviet Union where antisemitism was rampant, Liora Rez was all too familiar with its dangers. Since 2018 she has expanded StopAntisemitism’s reach to millions of people monthly. The group’s activism has resulted in the expulsion of antisemitic students, the firing of antisemitic employees, the public embarrassment of antisemitic political activists, and more.

To learn more, visit StopAntisemitism.org.

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