Maltese MEP Alfred Sant told the European Parliament that in responding to tensions created by hate speech, populism and fake news on social media, we need to update the expression of our values to make them coherent with the times, while enhancing the tolerant and liberal profile of Europe. Dr Sant stated this during the debate on “Hate speech, populism, and fake news on social media – towards an EU response”. Populism and extremism are present in Europe in an overall tense atmosphere of hate and anger. The prevalence of hate speech and violent acts towards migrants and refugees along with hostile approaches to liberal values and open societies are manifestations of this atmosphere. It was in this context, that the European Parliament held a debate on a potential answer at EU level.
“When does the right to offend, that we allow, become equivalent to hate speech? Under what conditions does the full observance of traditional religious customs contradict liberal practices? What justification can be advanced for rigid surveillance of internet traffic, including its “censorship”, to combat say, “fake news”? To what extent should an individual’s right to privacy prevail over surveillance measures intended to cover concerns related to internet and other criminal activity, such as tax fraud and hate speech? We do not have clear cut, satisfactory replies to such questions,” remarked Dr Sant.
The Maltese MEP said the liberal value system prevailing in Western Europe since the end of World War II has created a tolerant, open society that allows diversity, freedom of thought and speech, and respect for human rights to flourish among us. However if not in crisis, this value system is straining to cope with the ethical and social tensions generated among others by: technological innovation especially in the communications field; intercultural disparities within societies; immigration; terrorism; and rising social inequalities.
Maltese Version – IRRIDU NAĠĠORNAW IL-VALURI TAGĦNA BIEX NIRRISPONDU GĦAL DISKORS TA’ MIBEGĦDA, IL-POPULIŻMU U L-AĦBARIJIET FOLOZ
Alfred Sant qal lill-Parlament Ewropew li biex nirrispondu għat-tensjonijiet maħluqa minn diskors ta’ mibegħda, il-populiżmu u l-aħbarijiet foloz fuq il-midja soċjali, irridu naġġornaw il-valuri tagħna maż-żminijiet tal-lum waqt li nżidu t-tolleranza u l-profil liberali tal-Ewropa. Dr Sant qal dan waqt id-dibattitu dwar “Diskors ta’ mibegħda, populiżmu u aħbarijiet foloz fuq il-midja soċjali – lejn reazzjoni Ewropea”. Il-populiżmu u l-estremiżmu qed jiżdiedu fl-Ewropa tqila bir-rabja u t-tensjoni. Il-prevalenza ta’ kliem ta’ mibegħda u atti vjolenti lejn l-immigranti u r-refuġjati flimkien ma’ tendenzi ostili lejn valuri liberali u soċjetajiet miftuħa huma manifestazzjonijiet ta’ din l-atmosfera.
“Id-dritt li noffendu, meta jiġi ekwivalenti għal diskors ta’ mibegħda? Taħt liema kundizzjonijiet l-osservanza ta’ tradizzjonijiet reliġjużi tikkontradixxi prattiċi liberali? Kif nistgħu niġġustifikaw sorveljanza riġida fuq l-internet, inkluż ‘iċ-ċensura’, biex niġġieldu ‘l-aħbarijiet foloz’? Sa liema punt id-dritt tal-privatezza tal-individwu jipprevali fuq miżuri ta’ sorveljanza biex jittaffa t-tħassib relatat mal-internet u attivitajiet oħra kriminali, bħal frodi fit-taxxa u diskors ta’ mibegħda? Ma għandniex risposti ċari u sodisfaċenti għal dawn it-tip ta’ mistoqsijiet!
Is-sistema ta’ valuri liberali li ilha tipprevali fl-Ewropa tal-Punent sa mit-Tieni Gwerra Dinjija ħolqot soċjeta` miftuħa u tolleranti li tħalli d-diversita`, il-liberta` tal-ħsieb u l-espressjoni u t-tkattir tar-rispett tad-drittijiet tal-bniedem fostna. Din is-sistema ta’ valuri qed tbati biex tlaħħaq mat-tensjonijiet etiċi u soċjali li nħolqu fost oħrajn minħabba: l-innovazzjoni teknoloġika speċjalment fil-qasam tal-komunikazzjoni; differenzi interkulturali fi ħdan is-soċjetajiet tagħna; l-immigrazzjoni; it-terroriżmu; u ż-żieda fl-inugwaljanzi soċjali.” qal Dr Sant.
Post a comment