Since MyADSL is a kind of social network ..
http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/newthread.php?do=newthread&f=131
Daniëlla du Plooy, Beeld
Johannesburg - Users of social networks like Facebook shouldn't become too carried away by what others say on such public platforms, said experts commenting on several complaints about "undesirable language" and hate speech on Facebook pages.
This followed an email with a screen shot of an alleged hate message on a Julius Malema fan page, which was sent around over the past week.
The page was flooded with racist messages by black and white users about other race groups - some under fake profiles.
In the messages that were being sent around, a Thato Mbateti wrote amongst others that Malema's supporters would kill President Jacob Zuma "within the next six weeks" and would kill white people.
Marius Roodt, a researcher at the South African Institute for Race Relations, said this kind of hate speech was found in every country.
"Every area has a small group of extremists who make such threats towards other groups."
He said the apparent anonymity made it easier for some people to write things that they would not express otherwise.
"It is almost like people talking in a small group around a braai fire. That is perhaps how they feel about the matter but they won't necessarily act on it."
Roodt said this kind of hate speech was not necessarily worse or more common than in the past.
"It now only makes the news more often, also because of Malema's comments. Although he is definitely not responsible for it, you could probably say he serves as a kind of catalyst. I think the majority of South Africans found his 'Kill the Boers' song unacceptable."
Dr Irma du Plessis, a sociologist at the University of the Witwatersrand, believed social networks gave people the opportunity to express themselves without thinking about possible repercussions or accountability.
A fan page of "The Old South Africa" also made news over the past month, when there were several examples of hate speech.
"It is a sentiment rather than action being taken."
Vincent Moaga, the spokesperson for the South African Human Rights Commission, said those who dared to use hate speech or use undesirable language on Facebook, could be challenged to appear before the Human Rights Commission.
- Beeld
http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/newthread.php?do=newthread&f=131
Daniëlla du Plooy, Beeld
Johannesburg - Users of social networks like Facebook shouldn't become too carried away by what others say on such public platforms, said experts commenting on several complaints about "undesirable language" and hate speech on Facebook pages.
This followed an email with a screen shot of an alleged hate message on a Julius Malema fan page, which was sent around over the past week.
The page was flooded with racist messages by black and white users about other race groups - some under fake profiles.
In the messages that were being sent around, a Thato Mbateti wrote amongst others that Malema's supporters would kill President Jacob Zuma "within the next six weeks" and would kill white people.
Marius Roodt, a researcher at the South African Institute for Race Relations, said this kind of hate speech was found in every country.
"Every area has a small group of extremists who make such threats towards other groups."
He said the apparent anonymity made it easier for some people to write things that they would not express otherwise.
"It is almost like people talking in a small group around a braai fire. That is perhaps how they feel about the matter but they won't necessarily act on it."
Roodt said this kind of hate speech was not necessarily worse or more common than in the past.
"It now only makes the news more often, also because of Malema's comments. Although he is definitely not responsible for it, you could probably say he serves as a kind of catalyst. I think the majority of South Africans found his 'Kill the Boers' song unacceptable."
Dr Irma du Plessis, a sociologist at the University of the Witwatersrand, believed social networks gave people the opportunity to express themselves without thinking about possible repercussions or accountability.
A fan page of "The Old South Africa" also made news over the past month, when there were several examples of hate speech.
"It is a sentiment rather than action being taken."
Vincent Moaga, the spokesperson for the South African Human Rights Commission, said those who dared to use hate speech or use undesirable language on Facebook, could be challenged to appear before the Human Rights Commission.
- Beeld
I also fully agree with this sentiment.