An Open Letter to Mr Jack Dorsey, CEO Twitter
London, 16th January 2017
Dear Mr Dorsey
I know first-hand that you are aware of the #no2LGBTHate hashtag and my Thunderclap campaign which is demanding that Twitter act against individuals and organisations who spread vile homophobic, biphobic and transphobic hate speech across Twitter. My question to you is, why have you not responded? This is an open letter requesting that you respond prior to the campaign going live on 1st February with a clear explanation of what you intend to do to suspend or close homophobic, biphobic and transphobic hate accounts.
There are thousands of accounts which exist, seemingly, solely to vilify and incite violence against the LGBT communities. One of many examples is @narrowwaychurch which has sent more than 18,000 quite disgusting tweets. Sadly, I have many more examples to hand, but space and common decency precludes me from listing them here.
Statistics prove that LGBT people are far more likely to commit suicide than their heterosexual counterparts, far more likely to self-harm and far more likely to suffer from mental health issues. I am not suggesting that the blame falls solely at Twitter’s door, but it is surely undeniable that a constant barrage of abuse across social media contributes to these shameful statistics.
Twitter is a wonderful thing! I love it and, yes, it enshrines the values of freedom of speech. But freedom of speech is not absolute: it is tempered by legislation regarding libel, slander and incitement to violence. I understand that respecting freedom of speech while respecting the rights of individuals can be a delicate balancing act, and we don’t always get it right but, on this occasion, Twitter has got it terribly wrong. Obnoxious hate speech does nothing to add to general debate: it exists purely to insult and offend. And the numerous accounts which equate homosexuality to paedophilia do more than insult and offend – they libel whole communities, reinforcing prejudice, spreading hate and inciting violence.
As a magazine and website publisher, I must hold my contributors to certain standards, and am truly baffled as to why Twitter cannot also hold its contributors to account. Facebook seems able to monitor or even suspend accounts, and they can remove posts in seconds. Why can’t you?
On 1st February at 4pm GMT, millions of Twitter feeds and Facebook walls will receive our #no2LGBTHate message thanks, in part, to the support of public figures, media houses, Members of the Houses of Commons and Lords, celebrities and more – and that’s just in the UK. As I write, the campaign is gathering worldwide momentum and it’s going to be hard to stop the juggernaut. Supporters include Stonewall, Women’s Equality Party, Ditch the Label, The Equality Council, Diversity Role Models, London Pride, UK Black Pride, the global LGBT press, Peter Tatchell – with more and more influencers coming on board every day.
Your own Sinead McSweeney recently pointed out that Twitter “had some challenges keeping up with and curbing abusive conduct,” so I know you agree that your action to date has been wholly inadequate. The abuse continues, and the suicide, self-harm and depression shows no sign of abating. Twitter is not abusing anyone, I accept, but you are enabling it to flourish.
Twitter needs to be held to the same standards as other publishers and I am prepared, if necessary, to test this in the Courts and campaign for an investigation by a Parliamentary Committee of MPs. That said, my supporters and I would prefer a swift response from Twitter, accepting that this situation cannot continue unchecked, and outlining what urgent steps the company intends to take to silence the hate, not just against LGBT people, but in all areas of diversity.
I very much look forward to your response and in the meantime, I urge you to visit no2LGBTHate.com and join my Thunderclap campaign to send a co-ordinated message to all supporters’ followers at 4pm GMT on 1st February.
Linda Riley @LindaRiley8
Dear Mr Dorsey
I know first-hand that you are aware of the #no2LGBTHate hashtag and my Thunderclap campaign which is demanding that Twitter act against individuals and organisations who spread vile homophobic, biphobic and transphobic hate speech across Twitter. My question to you is, why have you not responded? This is an open letter requesting that you respond prior to the campaign going live on 1st February with a clear explanation of what you intend to do to suspend or close homophobic, biphobic and transphobic hate accounts.
There are thousands of accounts which exist, seemingly, solely to vilify and incite violence against the LGBT communities. One of many examples is @narrowwaychurch which has sent more than 18,000 quite disgusting tweets. Sadly, I have many more examples to hand, but space and common decency precludes me from listing them here.
Statistics prove that LGBT people are far more likely to commit suicide than their heterosexual counterparts, far more likely to self-harm and far more likely to suffer from mental health issues. I am not suggesting that the blame falls solely at Twitter’s door, but it is surely undeniable that a constant barrage of abuse across social media contributes to these shameful statistics.
Twitter is a wonderful thing! I love it and, yes, it enshrines the values of freedom of speech. But freedom of speech is not absolute: it is tempered by legislation regarding libel, slander and incitement to violence. I understand that respecting freedom of speech while respecting the rights of individuals can be a delicate balancing act, and we don’t always get it right but, on this occasion, Twitter has got it terribly wrong. Obnoxious hate speech does nothing to add to general debate: it exists purely to insult and offend. And the numerous accounts which equate homosexuality to paedophilia do more than insult and offend – they libel whole communities, reinforcing prejudice, spreading hate and inciting violence.
As a magazine and website publisher, I must hold my contributors to certain standards, and am truly baffled as to why Twitter cannot also hold its contributors to account. Facebook seems able to monitor or even suspend accounts, and they can remove posts in seconds. Why can’t you?
On 1st February at 4pm GMT, millions of Twitter feeds and Facebook walls will receive our #no2LGBTHate message thanks, in part, to the support of public figures, media houses, Members of the Houses of Commons and Lords, celebrities and more – and that’s just in the UK. As I write, the campaign is gathering worldwide momentum and it’s going to be hard to stop the juggernaut. Supporters include Stonewall, Women’s Equality Party, Ditch the Label, The Equality Council, Diversity Role Models, London Pride, UK Black Pride, the global LGBT press, Peter Tatchell – with more and more influencers coming on board every day.
Your own Sinead McSweeney recently pointed out that Twitter “had some challenges keeping up with and curbing abusive conduct,” so I know you agree that your action to date has been wholly inadequate. The abuse continues, and the suicide, self-harm and depression shows no sign of abating. Twitter is not abusing anyone, I accept, but you are enabling it to flourish.
Twitter needs to be held to the same standards as other publishers and I am prepared, if necessary, to test this in the Courts and campaign for an investigation by a Parliamentary Committee of MPs. That said, my supporters and I would prefer a swift response from Twitter, accepting that this situation cannot continue unchecked, and outlining what urgent steps the company intends to take to silence the hate, not just against LGBT people, but in all areas of diversity.
I very much look forward to your response and in the meantime, I urge you to visit no2LGBTHate.com and join my Thunderclap campaign to send a co-ordinated message to all supporters’ followers at 4pm GMT on 1st February.
Linda Riley @LindaRiley8
