Many people in Britain were recently arrested for their role in anti-immigrant riots. Some of them are also being accused of making things worse by posting hateful messages online. This has started a debate about free speech in the country.
One woman, 53 years old, was sent to jail for 15 months for posting on Facebook that a mosque should be blown up. Another man, 45 years old, got 20 months in jail for encouraging his followers to burn down a hotel where refugees were staying. A third woman, 55 years old, was questioned by the police for wrongly naming the suspect in a deadly stabbing at a children's dance class.
These people are called “keyboard warriors” because they used social media to spread hate and stir up violence after the stabbing in Southport, where three young girls were killed. Their cases have become part of a larger debate about how much free speech should be allowed in Britain.
The courts have given out harsh sentences to many who took part in the riots. Some people worry that the government might go too far and start limiting free speech more than necessary. One person who spoke out is Elon Musk, the owner of X (formerly known as Twitter). He said Britain is becoming a "police state" because of how they are handling free speech online.
In Britain, the law allows people to be punished for what they post online if it incites violence.
This is different from the United States, where free speech is protected more strongly by the First Amendment. However, both countries agree that free speech has limits when it leads to violence.
After the Southport killings, a judge named the suspect, Axel Rudakubana, even though he was under 18. The judge did this to stop the spread of false information online. Some people wrongly claimed that the suspect was a Muslim asylum seeker, which led to more violence.
Critics say that the riots might give the government an excuse to restrict free speech even more. The government is also looking at strengthening the Online Safety Act, which makes social media companies responsible for harmful content.
One case that got a lot of attention is that of Bernadette Spofforth, a 55-year-old online influencer. She was arrested after posting false information about the Southport suspect, saying he was a Muslim asylum seeker. Her post was viewed 1.5 million times before she deleted it.
Another case is Julie Sweeney, a 53-year-old woman who was sent to prison for 15 months for posting a comment on Facebook saying a mosque should be blown up. Her lawyer asked for a lighter sentence because she takes care of her husband, but the judge said she still needed to go to prison.
Even people on the left have been accused of inciting violence. A Labour Party councilor named Ricky Jones was charged after telling a crowd to act violently toward far-right protesters.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has focused on maintaining public order rather than on civil liberties. Over 1,100 people have been arrested, and hundreds have been charged. Starmer supports the courts in sentencing people for their online behavior, saying that anyone who breaks the law will face consequences.
Adapted from New York Times
Multiple Choice Questions:
1. Why were many people in Britain recently arrested?
a) For theft
b) For anti-immigrant riots and posting hateful messages online
c) For protesting against the government
d) For traffic violations
2. What sentence did the 53-year-old woman receive for posting on Facebook that a mosque should be blown up?
a) 10 months in jail
b) 20 months in jail
c) 15 months in jail
d) 5 months in jail
3. What did Elon Musk say about Britain's handling of free speech online?
a) It is perfect
b) It is too lenient
c) It is becoming a "police state"
d) It should be stricter
4. What did the judge do after the Southport killings to stop the spread of false information?
a) Ordered social media platforms to shut down
b) Named the suspect, even though he was under 18
c) Banned social media
d) Arrested all those spreading rumors
5. What is the Online Safety Act?
a) A law that punishes people for jaywalking
b) A law that regulates online shopping
c) A law that makes social media companies responsible for harmful content
d) A law that allows internet providers to raise prices
True/False Questions:
1. The 45-year-old man was jailed for encouraging people to burn down a hotel housing refugees.
True /False
2. In Britain, people cannot be punished for what they post online.
True/ False
3.After the Southport killings, false information spread online claiming the suspect was a Muslim asylum seeker.
True/False
4.The Online Safety Act makes social media companies responsible for harmful content.
True /False
5. Over 1,100 people were arrested in connection with the anti-immigrant riots in Britain.
True/False
Download the document to see the answer key.
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