Free Speech, Hate Speech, and Social Media – What is Lawful, What is Appropriate, and What is Not?
This course will explore the balance between the right to freedom of speech and other rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in the context of the use and abuse of social media.
Objectives
Freedom of speech and expression are the cornerstone of our democratic civil society.
However, where is the fine line between freedom of speech and hate speech aimed to incite violence and exclusion towards communities and individuals? We will explore this particular question in our webinar.
Learners will understand the significance of this issue, particularly in the context of Hate Crime legislation, and have an awareness that the exercise of our freedoms carries both responsibilities and potential consequences for communities and individuals.
Learners will
- Understand how the right to free speech is refined and restricted by other duties, responsibilities, and legislative and contractual obligations
- Understand how opinions, attitudes and prejudice are influenced and shaped by unconscious bias, media bias, fake news, etc.
- Understand the impact of Hate Crime / Hate Speech upon individuals and communities
- Understand real-world examples of Free Speech and Hate Speech
- Understand the consequences of Hate Speech for the offender (including, sentence uplift and examples of prosecutions)
- Be able to identify appropriate responses to Hate Speech encountered online, via reporting, counter-messaging, counter-narrative, blocking, etc.
- Know where to seek further appropriate advice, support, and guidance
Course audience
General
Duration
1.5 hours
Method of Delivery
Delivered online on Microsoft Teams
Delivery Approach
This course is developed and presented by our team members who are experienced in the field of Hate Crime and the Online Space.
The session includes small-group discussion, presentation of statistics and research relating to Hate Crime and Racism, and scenario-based learning as well as an opportunity to ask questions for follow-up either within the session or afterwards.
