Online Sectarianism

[SpudTater]

I take it everybody's aware of the SNP's plan to crackdown on sectarian hatred? Part of the plans "include five-year sentences for anyone engaging in bigotry [...] online."
http://news.stv.tv/scotland/249460-snp-plans-crackdown-on-sectarianism/

Details are still to emerge, but obviously, any attempt to limit behaviour online should concern us. What are people worried about WRT this legislation?

Personally, I think it's not objectionable per se to wish to limit sectarian hate speech -- this often falls within the realm of incitement to violence, and I'm happy in theory for freedom of speech to be end where real physical threat begins. When it falls short of incitement to violence but within the realm of hate speech, it's admittedly a grey area. Do such sentiments contribute to violent behaviour? Undoubtedly. Do they, in and of themselves, constitute a threat? I would say no. Basically, this seems to be analogous to our old friend "incitement to racial hatred".

Where my concerns are clearer are on the details of the law. How exactly are individual users going to be identified? Are there any plans to increase online surveillance? Will Scottish ISPs be forced to reveal more user information to the government? Any such attempts I would oppose.

Additionally, I am concerned about how the law would be worded, and whether it could be applied outside its original intent. I am particularly thinking of the Twitter Joke Trial here. Will ordinary internet users find themselves taken to court under this legislation for satirical comments? For valid criticisms of religious ideas and organisations? (e.g. "The Pope Song" by Tim Minchin).

What's everybody else's take on this?

[akerbeltz]

I guess it depends on the wording and how they plan to do it. I don't think the government wants or can afford China-style surveillance. My suspicion is it will be a case-by-case approach where they would investigate specific repeat/extreme offenders. I mean, if someone posts a sectarian clip of himself calling for xyz, then it would be foolish to ignore that.

My view would be "monitor closely for now".

[cabalamat]

I don't like bigotry any more than anyone else, but 5 years for an iffy facebook comment is ridiculously extreme.

If the problem is bigotry at football matches, why not ban them from going to football games?

[akerbeltz]

Or indeed ban football?

Yes, will a prison sentence really solve that problem... but banning them from going to football games is equally tricky. How? Face recognition? Cause there will probably be lots of them.

[scuzzmonkey]

Or indeed ban football?

Yes, will a prison sentence really solve that problem... but banning them from going to football games is equally tricky. How? Face recognition? Cause there will probably be lots of them.

Speaking as someone that has worked off and on as a steward at the Stadium of Light for the past 2 years - these systems are already in place, and are controlled very well.

I see no reason why this couldn't be (if it isn't already) implemented with SPL teams.

[akerbeltz]

Ah you learn something new every day