Tackling racism on social media

[sheffield_fox]

Enough is enough. It's time for the whole sporting world to take a major stand against social media companies. Twitter, etc are happy to keep reeping advertising revenue on unverfied accounts and paying no tax, whilst doing little to nothing to tackle the abhorrent abuse being disseminated on their platform. As a fan I want to see Leicester City Football Club displaying leadership in tackling this important issue. It affects the players, it affects our friends and neighbours, our children. It affects us all, and there is much more that can and should be done about it.

 

I have written to my MP and to Leicester City Football Club to encourage them to take a serious stance. Other clubs and all MP's should be doing the same. I have posted the letters I have written below for you to read. I would love it you would consider copying them and sending them to your own local MP or LCFC. If you want to change anything I wrote, obviously that is fine. I'm just posting them here to make it easier for others to take meaningful action. Emailing your MP is worthwhile and I know this club pays attention to its supporters.

 

I know supporters of other clubsn also visit this forum. If you would like to use my letter to LCFC as a template to contact a representative of your club, please go ahead.

 

Your MP's email address can be found easily by searching for your post code in this directory; https://members.parliament.uk/members/Commons

 

I emailed my letter to the club to [email protected] 

If there's a better place to send it to, please let me know and I will edit this post with the updated email address.

 

If i've got anything majorly wrong, please let me know, but I don't personally want to get into a debate about this on here. If you feel differently to me, that's fine but i'm not going to argue about it.

 

Below are the letters I sent to the club and my MP, with the names redacted. If you do email your MP, remember to include your full address

 

 ------------------

 

Dear [MP's name],

 

As a local constituent of ------, I am writing to you to register my concern about the lack of action by social media companies to tackle online abuse. Like many, I have been horrified by the continuing abuse of young, black footballers on platforms such as twitter. This abuse causes an intolerable impact on the players themselves, as well as other people who are exposed to it, including children. My concern also extends to other forms of abuse including, but not limited to - transphobia, homophobia and sexism.

 

I feel that not enough is being done by the government or by social media companies to tackle this epidemic.

 

I think that users of social media should be asked to verify their identity with ID. This is common on many other online apps including betting apps and the NHS app. It would allow better policing of abusive content. There are many ways of addressing this problem proactively and they must be implemented as soon as possible. Current measures are not nearly sufficient.

 

Social media companies are able to reap advertising revenue from all accounts on their platforms. Until their revenue is limited, by law, to only accounts which are verified by ID, the companies have a huge financial incentive not to address this problem seriously.

 

I hope you and many of your peers feel the same as me about this important issue. I would like to hear it addressed again in parliament. It is time for action.

 

Kind regards,

 

[Name]

[Full postal address]

 

---------------

 

Hi,

 

As a long-time supporter of Leicester city football club, I am writing to you to encourage the club to do more to tackle the online racist abuse of players and supporters. I have been impressed by the efforts of the club over recent years including the 'no room for racism' campaign and the social media boycott.

 

However, I feel that, as one of the leading football clubs in the country, there is much more that can be done by LCFC to take a lead in tackling this issue, for the benefit of all.

 

I question whether the club, in good faith, can continue to support platforms such as Twitter with their business? We are all aware of some of the disgusting abuse which takes place on these platforms; yet the companies continue to profit from advertised revenue on unverified accounts. I don't believe that this will change to a meaningful extent until the government changes the law and forces social media companies to verify all their users with ID, like the NHS app.

 

Certainly, this is an issue for politicians and I have written to my local MP about it, however, football clubs can take a major role in addressing this issue. 

 

The continuing presence of the club and its players on these platforms gives passionate fans little option but to also continue using them. I would like Leicester City Football Club and its players withdraw completely from external social media channels. The club and players have many of their own channels to communicate with fans and I think the most powerful action you could take with your external social media channels would be to stop using them. This would attract international media attention and send a powerful message about the club's stance on this issue.

 

The club has the capacity to put tremendous pressure on other clubs to do the same thing. Which in turn would put pressure on the EFL and FA, who carry serious lobbying pressure with the government.

 

Leicester City Football Club consistently make me proud to be a fan, both on and off the pitch. I believe the majority of your fanbase would love to see their club take a global lead, once again, on this important issue.

 

Thank you for your time. 

 

Kind regards,

 

[Name]

[lifted*fox]

I feel like tackling socia media is one thing - but when you've got people in high places stoking racism and division, you're only masking the problem.

 

the country needs better leaders and better journalists and people need better education.

 

disgusts me how backwards we're headed; something needs doing and soon.

Edited 12 July 2021 by lifted*fox

[Guest bennytwohats]

Couldn’t agree more. 

[DANGEROUS TIGER]

I don.t use social media as such, just this site and Tiger's. This is the best way to stop the problem on line.

Quote

 

 

[Guest Mickyblueeyes]

I cant believe half the things I've read since the result. This is now normal that's how crazy it is. People are more concerned with players taking a frigging knee to highlight this ridiculous, degusting attitude then actually fixing the problem. 

 

The issue with Social Media is that it gives everyone a voice. That voice is faceless to some extent so people abuse it. They abuse others. Some are so thick they don't even hide it but the majority are cowards who hide behind a profile. With use of social media should come responsibility. Perhaps even a membership scheme. That way its not faceless. Having a voice comes with responsibility and not everyone is willing to take on that responsibility. So take away the privilege. 

 

Don't get me started on morons like Patel and Johnson who chose to advocate abuse of players taking the knee despite repeated explanations of why they were doing it. Guys like Zaha are right, the knee or any other gesture doesnt have the effect because the idiots are not being held accountable but how else do players make a stand. 

Edited 12 July 2021 by Mickyblueeyes

[Fox92]

13 minutes ago, lifted*fox said:

I feel like tackling socia media is one thing - but when you've got people in high places stoking racism and division, you're only masking the problem.

 

the country needs better leaders and better journalists and people need better education.

 

disgusts me how backwards we're headed; something needs doing and soon.

I always see the education part but what we educating? Sitting these people down and saying its wrong? They know that. Issue is they just know they can get away with acting like a **** online because they'll not be punished.

Edited 12 July 2021 by Fox92

[Guest Chocolate Teapot]

5 minutes ago, Mickyblueeyes said:

I cant believe half the things I've read since the result. This is now normal that's how crazy it is. People are more concerned with players taking a frigging knee to highlight this ridiculous, degusting attitude then actually fixing the problem. 

 

The issue with Social Media is that it gives everyone a voice. That voice is faceless to some extent so people abuse it. They abuse others. Some or so thick they don't even hide it but the majority are cowards who hide behind a profile. With use of social media should come responsibility. Perhaps even a membership scheme. That way its not faceless. Having a voice comes with responsibility and not everyone is willing to take on that responsibility. So take away the privilege. 

 

Don't get me started on morons like Patel and Johnson who chose to advocate abuse of players taking the knee despite repeated explanations of why they were doing it. Guys like Zaha are right, the knee or any other gesture doesnt have the effect because the idiots are not being held accountable but how else to players make a stand. 

👏👏👏👏

[Guest bennytwohats]

4 minutes ago, Fox92 said:

I always see the education part but what we educating? Sitting these people down and saying its wrong? They know that. Issue is they just know they can get away with acting like a **** online because they'll not be punished.

I think the point is that if people were better educated then ‘being able to get away with it’ wouldn’t be a good reason to do something because they wouldn’t want to do it in the first place. The education piece is helping people understand the consequences their actions have on others, some of the things minority groups have to suffer and tackling misplaced beliefs that might lead to the underlying racism in the first place.

Edited 12 July 2021 by bennytwohats

[Spudulike]

It was mentioned on 5-Live that investigations are taking place to track exactly where some of this abuse is coming from. A report a while back claimed that 75% was originating from over seas. Some suggestions that more Russian attempts to destabilise and cause division in the west is at play. 

 

We clearly already have our own UK based racists posting this hate that need to be dealt with but it's not as simple as that. 

[goose2010]

surely the first step is verification on accounts. If any one has ever opened an online gambling account you know what you have to do. They can confirm who you are and where you live. 

 

IT takes about 5 minutes max. 

 

It surely is a starting point? 1 Account per person. 

[Swarles Barkley]

Im sure social media companies are spouting rubbish about wanting to keep anonymity of their sites. Fine if that's the case, but can there not be a button that each platform can have that states you can only see posts and post to people who have been verified? (by verified I mean willing to provide personal information so that they know who exactly you are)

Obviously this is a short term solution as anonymity still remains but still removes trolls and give them no audience

Edited 12 July 2021 by Swarles Barkley

[Jon the Hat]

7 minutes ago, goose2010 said:

surely the first step is verification on accounts. If any one has ever opened an online gambling account you know what you have to do. They can confirm who you are and where you live. 

 

IT takes about 5 minutes max. 

 

It surely is a starting point? 1 Account per person. 

This would at least clarify the question around overseas interference.

 

Followed by the ability to select who can comment on things - i.e. UK verified accounts only.

[bovril]

Apparently twitter took down 1000 racist tweets. For context, 350,000 tweets are sent every minute.

[Jon the Hat]

13 minutes ago, bovril said:

Apparently twitter took down 1000 racist tweets. For context, 350,000 tweets are sent every minute.

I simply don't believe they cannot build some Machine learning tech to scan for racism and auto ban anyone who posts it.  

[Strokes]

I’ve had a bit of a media blackout since the game, I’m guessing the bratty fans decided to abuse their freedom of speech rights again? Sigh

[volpeazzurro]

Surely one part of this is quite easily solved?

The PFA and FA is notoriously awash with money. Is it really beyond their means to pay for the development and launch of their own players social media platform rather than they have to use Twitter, Instagram and the like. I know they shouldn't have to have their own platform but these other huge moneyed companies appear to be doing diddlysquat to combat certain issues.

 

To gain access to the platform and your chosen players account, the football supporter would have to register and supply full personal data including photograph, full name, address and proof of the same ie copy of photo licence, passport or similar. Transgressors can be struck off for minor infringements or in certain cases, be referred to the police for consideration of prosecution. I would suggest that the simple minded neanderthal racist bigots are unlikely to join as these pathetic keyboard warriors usually only spread their filth from behind the safety of an anonymous keyboard. If you think this is a slight on your civil liberties then feel free not to join, you have a choice.

 

Whilst it's not my thing personally, I know my son likes to see what various footballers are up to and their thoughts. I'm sure when we go down to the King Power to watch Wilf, Kelechi and Wes etc, the majority of us just watch and cheer our players and the mere thought of skin colour doesn't even enter into our heads because it is of no relevance to normal people. The fact that 3 of our really young England lads can suffer such vile abuse both turns my stomach and angers me greatly. They need some protection and everyone that could be helping seems to be dragging their feet!

 

The above suggestion would seem to be a reasonable place to start and surely it can't be beyond the wit of man to implement similar. It doesn't cure racism but it can offer a bit of protection I would have thought?

[bovril]

Just now, Jon the Hat said:

I simply don't believe they cannot build some Machine learning tech to scan for racism and auto ban anyone who posts it.  

My point was that social media makes stuff look much more prevalent than it is. 

[Strokes]

1 minute ago, Jon the Hat said:

I simply don't believe they cannot build some Machine learning tech to scan for racism and auto ban anyone who posts it.  

Definitely could sin bin posts with trigger words, until approved by a human.

 

[The Horse's Mouth]

I've never understood why you're able to type certain words that the only context is to be racially abusive.

[Zear0]

I'm 33 and I don't recall a time when abuse, racism and open hostility was as rife as it is today.  Discussions here, professionally and in my social life are becoming filled more and more with people yelling at one another in an aggressive binary manner where there is no grey area or space for debate, there is simply right and wrong.  Look at the absolute guff, of which I'm a contributor, in the COVID and politics thread in this forum to see how discussions are increasingly being held.  I'm with x so therefore y is rubbish; it's either with us or against us and feeds animosity in all forums. 

 

Where I'm getting at with this no doubt badly reasoned monologue is that in any problem solving technique we need to identify a "root cause".  What is the problem, do we actually understand where it lies and are we addressing it correctly?

• People - Does a single one of these knuckle draggers not know what they're doing is wrong?  You can never speak for others, but I strongly believe it's a yes and therefore the "education" we preach will just encourage these puddings to continue doing what they're doing as it reinforces what they're trying to achieve (being hurtful and nasty).  They must get a kick of knowing what they're doing is wrong and surely all this coverage is feeding it.  I'm 100% not saying to ignore this by any means, just an observation I have on this.
• Targets - Social media blackouts and campaigns, for the above reason, don't seem to work and it's completely wrong that anyone should be denied access to any media platform based on race/religion/football team etc. They have as much right to access as anyone else, any campaign where they're excluding themselves I feel is counter productive and sends the wrong message.
• The platforms - This is 100% the problem in my eyes.  There's an argument I hear trotted out that the "technology has advanced quicker than the legislation".  Bollocks, how much have Twitter/Facebook/Insta changed in the last decade, not significantly in my opinion.  Look at how quickly legislation was put in place after the Leveson inuiry to deal with the print media.  Now forgetting my cynical view that the legislation was aimed at reducing criticism at government, it came in very fast.  I don't care that they're "social" media platforms, they're still media.  TV, radio, print journalism etc. are all accountable for their output.  If a columnist of a newspaper wrote something abusive, the publication would be held to account.  I completely support social media making accounts be verified so content can be traced back.  There is always the counter argument to this that subversive regimes would use that to crack down on individuals on freedom of expression.  I get that, but I don't feel that is a legitimate concern in this country as, unlike the views of some in there, we don't live in a totalitarian state.  Platforms don't want this verification to happen as it would lead to fewer members and therefore less revenue, simple as.  They need to be accountable for output as well as the users.

We need to go after the social media companies through legislation as they frankly don't give a toss about the problem.

 

One of all time favourite writer's Bertrand Russell said "One of the painful things about our time is that those who feel certainty are stupid, and those with any imagination and understanding are filled with doubt and indecision".  He died in 1970 and I don't think he's ever been more right.

 

tl;dr More people are becoming d**ks, media companies need to be held responsible as well as the users.

 

 

[yorkie1999]

29 minutes ago, Jon the Hat said:

I simply don't believe they cannot build some Machine learning tech to scan for racism and auto ban anyone who posts it.  

I don't think its possible simply because the word  R A C I S M wouldnt be recognised as a word. I think the main problem is the anonymity of the internet. Anyone can be anyone and it's almost impossible to identify someone.

Edited 12 July 2021 by yorkie1999

[coolhandfox]

54 minutes ago, goose2010 said:

surely the first step is verification on accounts. If any one has ever opened an online gambling account you know what you have to do. They can confirm who you are and where you live. 

 

IT takes about 5 minutes max. 

 

It surely is a starting point? 1 Account per person. 

100% this.

 

[filbertway]

I didn't realise we had so many users from Silicon Valley knocking about

 

[yorkie1999]

29 minutes ago, Strokes said:

Definitely could sin bin posts with trigger words, until approved by a human.

 

How would you sin bin  fvck u, fcuk U, fu, fook u or even fuch u? There arn't really any trigger words, it's only when you search for stuff that trigger words become effective, which  the police use to try and track peados and stuff.

[Freeman's Wharfer]

Whenever these stories come out, and you go and search for the actual Tweets, I would say 80% of the accounts are clearly not people from the UK. Very often the perpetrators appear to be from the Middle East or Far East.

 

This is part of the problem. Football is a global game but unfortunately that brings with it a spectrum of global views. If you don’t understand what I mean with that, you only have to look at the reaction of Turkish fans following us because of Soyuncu, or Algerians following us because of Mahrez/Slimani, when the official Leicester City account Tweets an LGBT-related post. They’re not to a standard of acceptance or support you would expect in the UK.

 

Yet we are meant to lament how unprogressive we are as a country on equality when in actual fact we are one of the most progressive. Because it’s the British game it’s supposedly a reflection of British society and that’s just not the case. Why is this issue not so rife in rugby where there are many black players? Because it is less of a global game and does not have that level of global engagement on social media.

 

Yes, racism exists in Britain as it does everywhere else on the planet, but Tweets to British or British-based footballers is not solely a British problem. Therefore if you want to start bringing in ID checks then it needs to happen globally (do all users have the ability to provide ID required? Not all countries are as developed as the UK when it comes to that sort of thing)  - and I don’t know if petitions in the UK or changes to UK law can really change anything when we are just a % of the social media users.
 

For any ID requirement to have the desired impact, you’d also need to have laws and police forces in the countries of the perpetrators able and motivated to support the prosecution of online abuse cases. How motivated do you think some of those other countries are to do that?