March 30, 2023
Hate message finds target
An expert in extremism says the visit by British anti-trans activist Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull has fuelled an increase in online hate.
Massey University emeritus Professor Paul Spoonley opposed Keen-Minshul, also known as Posie Parker, entering the country because he says while she has a right to her views, she does not have a right to a public platform to spread them.
He says the level of online hostility and hate has increased in recent years, as extreme views from the United States make their way into Aotearoa.
He told Radio Waatea talk host John Tamihere that’s reflected in unprecedented levers of hate towards people in the media and politics, such as the 55 death threats last year against then Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
“I do have concerns for this year in terms of some of the more extreme people in our community who are going to disrupt and attack and undermine our democratic process. If we don’t have respectful disagreement and we move to something beyond that, we do have a problem with our fundamental political systems and debate,” Professor Spoonley says.
He says many people don’t appreciate the level of hate online, but people in the Maori, Jewish and Muslim communities face it all the time.