Rethinking Hate Speech Regulation On Social Media With Special Reference To Religious Hate Speech
Preethi H, Postgraduate, LLM (Constitutional Law and Legal Order), Department of Legal Studies, University of Madras
ABSTRACT
The creation of the Internet and social media, along with various platforms, has made information and communication fast and easy to access. These social media platforms have become the new meeting places for public, social, and political discussions, as well as for sharing thoughts and ideas. As a result, social media has given the public a global audience for their messages and has boosted the participatory and representative aspects of democracy. However, there is always the downside of technological use, too. Digital communication is very quick and reaches many people, and can sometimes reach the specific audience, resulting in the proliferation and escalation of hate speech. Unlike other forms of communication, digital messages can be sent almost instantly to a large audience. The impact of a digital message is immediate and very real. According to the hate speech lab report Hate speech against religious minorities, especially Muslims, increased by 74%, Totaling 1,165 cases in 2024, compared to 668 cases in 2023.1 The aim of this research is to determine whether the existing legislation and regulations are adequate to control religious hate speech, especially through social media.
Keywords: communication, social media, hate speech, religious hate speech, religious minorities, legal framework, regulation.
