Thread by @MehreenFaruqi

While I was attacked, Facebook profited.

This piece reveals a disturbing new level of far right coordination which platforms Islamophobia, division and hatred towards Muslims and directs it at individuals like myself and @IlhanMN.

theguardian.com/australia-news…

Thanks to @knausc, @mmcgowan, @NickEvershed and @olireports for their important and, frankly, dangerous work uncovering the far right.

These far right pages demonstrate just how pervasive racism has been allowed to become, and how disturbingly far it can reach via social media.

The crap these pages are publishing sounds like the hateful far right talking points that have found a home, willing ears and loud voices in parliament's and sections of the media.

By allowing racist and misleading posts, social media giants like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, are profiteering from the proliferation of hate speech and abuse.

Facebook could shut these pages down, forgo the profit they make from these pages and strengthen their policies on hate speech, but so long as they continue to profit from the reach and engagement, they don’t seem to be interested in decisive action.

Facebook & other social media companies should be accountable for hate speech & threats that occur on their platforms. Online hate speech has real world consequences for people, their safety, mental health & families. Platforms are not doing enough to combat hate & harassment.

Platforms should take responsibility but Governments must also make and enforce laws that hold these big money-making platforms to account for publishing hate speech and allowing harassment.

I will be making a submission to the newly established Senate committee investigating foreign interference via social media and call on them investigate and hold Facebook to account #auspol

mehreen-faruqi.greensmps.org.au/articles/i-was…