Cracking down on Social Media’s Free Speech?
Keir Starmer QC has been quoted as saying that new guidelines for policing social media are going to be discussed in order to avoid a “chilling effect” on free speech, as the right to be offensive “has to be protected.”
Facebook and Twitter have been in the limelight recently due to a number of court cases involving individuals and offensive postings. A Freedom of Information Request revealed that there have been 2,347 investigations due to complaints regarding topics on social media in 2010 alone. On average there are around 50 different cases across the UK every week.
Mr Starmer has said that the guidelines would help authorities use other methods rather than criminal prosecution in terms of offensive activity.
“We live in a democracy, and if free speech is to be protected there has to be a high threshold.
“People have the right to be offensive, they have the right to be insulting, and that has to be protected.”
The new guidelines are expected to be announced by the end of the year.
Social Media in the News
Oct 2012 – Matthew Woods
Mr Woods was jailed for 12 weeks after he made “abhorrent” posts about missing five-year-old April Jones on Facebook. Members of the public reported his comments to the police who arrested the man for his own safety after 50 people went to his home.
Oct 2012 – Azhar Ahmed
Twenty-year-old Ahmed was given 240 hours of community service for posting that “all soldiers should die and go to hell” on Facebook. He said he did not think that the message was offensive.
Aug 2012 – Daniel Thomas
Port Talbot Town FC footballer Daniel Thomas was arrested after an abusive message about Olympic diver Tom Daley was sent. However, no charges were brought against Mr Thomas after it was deemed that while offensive, the tweet was not a criminal act.
Mar 2012 – Liam Stacey
Swansea University student Liam Stacey was sentenced to 56 days in prison for posting offensive comments about the then-Bolton Wanderers football Fabrice Muamba. The midfielder had collapsed during an FA Cup match against Tottenham Hotspur.
May 2010 – Paul Chambers
Mr Chambers tweeted a “silly joke” in which he threatened to blow nearby Robin Hood Airport – which had been closed after heavy snow – “sky high” if it did not re-open in time for him to visit his girlfriend. His conviction for sending a “menacing electronic communication” was later quashed
