http://www.adl.org/frames/front_chat_rooms.html

Middle East

Anti-Semitism

Combating Hate

Civil Rights

Education

Government Affairs

Hate Symbols Database

Holocaust

Interfaith

International Affairs

Internet

Israel

Legislative Action

Center

Nation of

Islam/Farrakhan

Press Release

Religious Freedom

Security for Community

Terrorism Update

ADL Reports

ADL Regional Offices

Dore Schary Film/Video

Awards

Contribute

Contact ADL

Responding to Anti-Semitic Messages in

Internet Discussion Groups

ADL is well aware that bulletin boards and chat rooms maintained by

major Internet providers have become avenues for airing hateful

anti-Semitic and anti-Israel rhetoric in the wake of the outbreak of

violence in the Middle East. Many offensive postings have included

extreme, anti-Semitic or incendiary anti-Israel comments that go well

beyond reasonable disagreements of opinion about the conflict.

Because of the ephemeral nature of chat room postings, it can be difficult

– if not impossible – to document all occurrences of hateful rhetoric. Yet

there is clear evidence it is happening. ADL’s Internet Monitoring Unit has

come across chat room messages that were clearly hateful or anti-Semitic

in nature.

It is virtually impossible to constantly monitor the thousands of chat rooms

and bulletin boards that exist in cyberspace. However, most major

Internet providers and Web site operators do encourage users to report

violators. These providers are generally quick to respond to complaints

about offensive postings on their service. In situations involving hate

speech, most service providers act immediately and decisively to remove

the offensive material and, in some cases, terminate the account of any

individual who violates their policies forbidding hate speech.

ADL remains in contact with a number of major Internet service

providers, including AOL, MSN, Yahoo and others with whom we

maintain working relationships, to notify them of the extent of the

problem and point out specific incidents that warrant action.

WHAT YOU CAN DO: If you encounter anti-Semitism or similar hate

speech in chat rooms, take action and report the incident directly to the

Internet provider. Most responsible Internet providers have policies in the

form of user agreements or "terms of service" that explicitly forbid hate

speech. And most have systems in place for reporting violators, be it a

special form dedicated to the purpose, or an e-mail address designated

for user complaints.

REMEMBER! In order to act, the Internet service provider must be

alerted immediately after the incident occurs. Waiting a day only lessens

the likelihood that the offending user will get caught. Keep in mind that it

is more rewarding (and more effective in the long run) to report offensive

content to Internet providers than it is to attempt to issue a rebuttal or

engage in dialogue with an individual who engages in hateful or

incendiary rhetoric.

While the anti-Semites and haters of the Internet can reappear with new

screen names and identities as quickly as they are jettisoned, repeatedly

losing one’s Internet account privileges due to inappropriate or hateful

remarks can be discouraging.
_________________________________________________________________
Hate on parade