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Social media crackdown expected by Government

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Tue, 23 Apr 2019, 7:36AM
The NZ Government has decided a global response would be more effective to curtail social media harm, given the global reach of the firms involved. Photo / 123RF

Social media crackdown expected by Government

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Tue, 23 Apr 2019, 7:36AM

Anger at social media companies after the Christchurch terror attack is galvanising, with moves towards a global crackdown expected to be revealed by the Government in the coming weeks.

Steps towards global regulation of social media companies to rein in harmful content look likely, with the Government set to take a lead role in a global initiative.

Internet safety and risk assessment expert John Parsons told Mike Yardley a strong response is necessary to stop terrorists spreading their message throughout the world.

"New Zealand shouldn't wait for the rest of the world to take action. We did it in 1987 with walking away from nuclear weapons and that set a standard which other countries soon followed. The Government can lead the way by creating a department and taking this issue seriously."

Parsons says he is in favour of the Government stepping in and regulating parts of social media as we have seen following the Christchurch terror attack.

"Every time somebody clicks on or shows that massacre video and shares it, they are spreading fear and hate which is the component of terrorism.

"I don't think this is an issue of freedom of speech. I think it's a question of access and how quickly we can get the information."

Following the Christchurch terror attack, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has been working towards a global co-ordinated response that would make the likes of Facebook, YouTube and Twitter more responsible for the content they host.

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