Tag Archives: online anonymity

David Gray

The right to online anonymity must be protected

By David Gray | Thu 21st October 2021 - 9:59 am

There are plenty of lessons to be learnt from the horrific killing of David Amess. People are right to call for a less divisive tone to political debate; Brendan Cox’s article was particularly moving in its calls for more civility and understanding between opposing political sides. Part of this may well be more enforcement against online abuse, and perhaps pressuring social media companies to act faster when it comes to people using those platforms to threaten others. These things will be debated in time and rightly so.

Emotions are running high and there is an understandable desire to create a legislative legacy for Mr Amess. Jo Cox’s death prompted the creation of organisations such as More in Common, which works towards creating more united societies. Close friends of Amess seem keen to stress his focus on ending online abuse, and are rightly raising this as an issue that should be amplified in the light of his death.

But we must tread very carefully in the next few weeks.

Continue reading »
Posted in Op-eds | Also tagged | 15 Comments
Advert

Recent Comments

  • Jason Connor
    Excellent and a good speaker. Highly admired in Richmond and would certainly get my vote...
  • Richard Whelan
    Good luck Sarah. I wish you every success in your campaign....
  • Peter Davies
    Simon Hughes was an MP when he stood. He got our best result....
  • Andy Daer
    I’m afraid John Kelly is right. Our leadership seems to have a blind spot where the Israel/Palestine conflict is concerned....
  • Mary ReidMary Reid
    David Raw - yes, it would trigger a Parliamentary by-election if she won as Mayor. Selection itself would not require it....