Online Hate Speech

Lord Watts Excerpts

Thursday 15th March 2018 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Williams of Trafford]

There is a clear distinction. Expressing one’s own opinion can offend people; there is a right to offend. However, there is no right to propagate speech that goes to a particular characteristic, whether that be race, religion, disability or sexuality, and promotes hatred against that person.

[Lord Watts (Lab)]

My Lords, will the Government consider introducing an education programme for this House so that we can address some of the bigotry that we regularly hear here?

[Baroness Williams of Trafford]

I am rather depressed to say to the noble Lord that it is not just here that we hear what I would call religious illiteracy, sometimes going into the area of downright misleading comments; it is within our legislature, the media and online. Through all strands of society, we need to tackle this.