Facebook racial hate page 'taken down'

9 Aug 2012, 6:42 am   -   Source: Andy Park, SBS
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A Facebook page filled with racially abusive messages about Indigenous people has been taken down, after hundreds of people campaigned to have it removed. 

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A Facebook page filled with racially abusive messages about Indigenous people has been taken down, after hundreds of people campaigned to have it removed.

SBS reported yesterday on the Facebook page, which allows posts with racially abusive "memes" about Indigenous people. The page was temporarily removed, before re-appearing on the site with a tag noting that the content contained "controversial humour".

Communications Minister Stephen Conroy  weighed into the debate, saying he thought it should be taken down.

"We don't want to live by the same standards that Facebook does," Mr Conroy said. "I think it’s an offence. It’s been reclassified but I think it should be taken down."

Race Discrimination Commissioner Dr Helen Szoke warned the page could be a breach of the Racial Discrimination Act.

"[The page] potentially does insult and offend, but it probably does more than that. I think the depiction of these images on Facebook actually moves more in to vilifying."
 
HUNDREDS PROTEST PAGE 

Hundreds of people are urging Facebook to dump the page, as ACMA launches an official investigation into the page.

Brisbane resident Jacinta O'Keefe started a change.org petition after a complaint to Facebook failed to result in the removal of the page.

“It is an openly racist page that is encouraging hate towards Aboriginal people. I find it incredible that Facebook would refuse to remove this page,” says Jacinta.

FACEBOOK RESPONSE

The social media site has responded to complaints with the message: "After reviewing your report, we were not able to confirm that the specific page you reported violates Facebook's Statement of Rights and Responsibilities."

When contacted by SBS, Facebook responded with this email message:

"We have nothing to share at this time but will let you know if that changes," Facebook spokesperson Mia Garlick replied.

ACMA INVESTIGATION

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has now launched an investigation into the page. The content has also been formally submitted to the Classification Board for classification.

"The ACMA is currently investigating specific URLs that contain the online content noted in the SBS story after receiving a complaint yesterday," an ACMA spokesperson told SBS in an email today.

"The ACMA investigates online content upon receipt of valid complaints from Australian residents or a body corporate that carries on activities in Australia. Investigations are conducted using powers under schedule 7 of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992," the statement said.

The page has caused outrage among many Facebook users.

The page uses internet jokes or “memes” to racially vilify Indigenous Australians, with text  referencing colonialism and substance abuse placed against photos of Indigenous people without their consent. 

FACEBOOK PAGE 'CHANGES NAME'

Last night the words "(Controversial Humour)" were added and the page has now gathered more than 4000 "likes".

SBS believes the site was created and is maintained by a 16-year-old Perth boy.


A post made to the site yesterday by the site’s moderator reads “this page aint racism, its the truth, keep passin the petrol cuzzins”.

Facebook user Mike Gurrieri said he reported it to the social network via the “report” tab.

“I reported the page for hate speech against a race, and I think the page should be taken down immediately,” he said.

ACMA's stance on its role regarding the page has changed.

Asked yesterday by SBS about Facebook users' claims they had reported the page to ACMA, a spokesperson said it was not their jurisdiction, despite it being the government agency responsible for regulating the internet.

“It’s a policy area. Our jurisdiction lies in preventing terrorism, online child pornography, national security and educating the public on how to stay safe,” the spokesperson said yesterday.

UPDATE: The page has been removed as of 6pm 8/8 2012.

 

Racial Abuse , Andy Park SBS

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thanks for wrecking it for all Australians

Sam - from not the backward west, 9 months ago

Oh no Australia doesnt have a racism problem...... Even our polli's are liars, And theirs plenty of sheep to follow them this type of person will be the reason we all lose freedom of the internet

"The best way to stop racism? Stop talking about it." - Morgan Freeman

Common Sense - from Perth, 10 months ago

"The best way to stop racism? Stop talking about it." - Morgan Freeman What's racism? I judge people individually on their behaviour and actions rather than how they look. Equal rights for all & education is the key. The human race? Eliminate the monetary system and we'll see the end of poverty and war. But no, that makes too much sense. Google Free World Charter and get over the hate and stupidity.

Take them down

Ramone - from Melbourne, 10 months ago

These are the same types of silly internet " morons " who posted their stupid ignorant and hateful crap against Australians online about the Victorian Bush fire horror that claimed 177 lives , and destroyed over 2000 homes . These type of people are the real terrorists threats in life. Take their BS sites down by law , take them out . Permanently . If Facebook does not want to comply and apologize , then ban it as a terrorist supporting organization . The rules of engagement are clearly set

Racism is Racism: Like Violence is Violence - Both are abusive and unlawful regardless

SA Ngarrindjeri Mimini - from Adelaide , 10 months ago

so glad that something is happening amazing and humbling thank you but what I found to be more alarming was the number of likes that people actually considered this to be humourous, it shows a great deal of ignorance and very insecure people. I feel sad for them :( Racism doesn't make sense at any level by the number of who has stood up and shown human compassion I thank you. I do feel sorry for the young boy and his family who have limited their grow and have such narrow views of people

We respect that the Indigenous are strong, but we get involved and stand with them against these ignorant haters because we care <3

Coraline Hayes - from Sydney, 10 months ago

These hate pages need to go, it's not that certain people can't stick up for themselves, the Indigenous community is strong, deserves great respect, and is certainly able to stand its own ground. Many others get involved however because we care, we're all here to look out for one another- that's really what we're all here for. There are other pages that need to go as well, like the Australian Protectionist Party, who post hateful and violent posts about anyone that's not white, are against mixing cultures and they aggressively verbally attack people who disagree with them. I understand freedom of speech, but there's no excuse for hate and mob mentality, we as a country are so much better than that.

internet memes and the media

shy swan - from Yokine, 10 months ago

A meme can be a hoax, right? If facebook knows that the administrator of this site is a 16 year old Perth boy, then we need to see his face when/if he is charged. Facebook is not a law unto itself and simply taking down the same page twice, is lame. Curiously, SBS ran a story on 'multi-culturalism' studies/statistics tonight. Hmmm.

Rascists are all afraid

Stokesy - from Noosa, 10 months ago

Dear Bridie from Melbourne Unfortunately we are always going to have a proportion of the population that live in fear.These are people that carry an irrational hate or dislike for others of a different raceSometimes this hate is passed down from dear old mum and dad and sometimes these people just manage to conjure it up of their own accord.No matter it's origin all hate is born of fear.So I would suggest these people,some have made their presence felt here, question if these values do any good

New Page

Bridie - from Melbourne, 10 months ago

There is now another page on Facebook the same as the one in this article called 'Abo Memes'. It is being managed by, potentially the most inarticulate and backwards person to have ever roamed the earth, who threatens anyone who makes a negative comment against his page.

How many haver you have actually seen a real aboriginal in the flesh

John - from queensland, 10 months ago

How many haver you have actually seen a real aboriginal in the flesh,not 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16 or has an ancestor from way back in the dreamtime, a true full blooded black fella? From what im seening not alot tbh, most is crap from the net , please get a life and a real opinion about an issue which actually concerns you.

When in ROme, do as the Romans do

Heda - from Melbourne, 10 months ago

If someone had used the word, Nigger (no offence intended) the offending facebook page would have been removed IMMEDIATELY. I didn't view the page, didn't see reason to increase the page views, but I could imagine. Good Ol' US of A would have understand 'THAT' word and had the page removed immediately. Sad but True :(

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