Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Online Hate Speech and Extremism

Monday 28 September 2020 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government is committed to countering extremist ideology through interdepartmental efforts.
  • Minister highlighted work with social media companies to remove extremist content.
  • Government is assessing links between hate speech, disinformation, and extremist behaviour.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Kate Osborne Lab Jarrow and Gateshead East
Crime & Law Enforcement Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The government is facing criticism for inadequate measures against online hate speech and extremism.

Question

I am concerned about the recent discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on tackling online hate speech and extremism. What actions are being taken?

Answer from James Brokenshire

As a Government, we are committed to vigorously countering extremist ideology by making sure that every part of government is taking action. That includes ongoing conversations between the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and the Home Office on the implementation of the online harms framework to tackle hateful content. We will continue to work across government to challenge extremism in all its forms.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific actions or timelines are provided; vague commitment given.

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Q2 Mick Whitley
Crime & Law Enforcement Community Security
Context

The Home Affairs Committee heard a warning about growing numbers of young people being drawn towards right-wing terrorism.

Question

Neil Basu warned of growing numbers of young people being drawn towards right-wing terrorism due to social media. What steps will the Minister take to prevent this?

Answer from James Brokenshire

The hon. Gentleman highlights an important point about the exploitation of the online world to attract the unwary and what that can lead to, which is why we are working with the companies concerned to see that content is removed. I highlight the online harms work, which will lead to a new regime to put new responsibilities on those companies to provide support in respect of the challenge of extremism and content that might not be illegal but profoundly is harmful.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific steps or timelines are provided; vague commitment given.

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Q3 Julie Elliott Lab
Community Security Democracy & Elections
Context

The Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Sub-Committee has considered online disinformation during the pandemic.

Question

What assessment has the Minister made of the links between hate speech and disinformation? Is there discussion between his Department and the DCMS?

Answer from James Brokenshire

As I indicated in response to the previous question, we are in discussion with the DCMS about these issues. It troubles me that sometimes this disinformation and these conspiracy theories can be used to galvanise more extremist behaviour. We are very alive to that in terms of working with our colleagues at the DCMS and in terms of our broader work in the Prevent space where this issue can move into terrorism.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific assessment or discussion details are provided; vague response given.

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Q4 Kate Osborne Lab Jarrow and Gateshead East
Democracy & Elections
Context

Anti-lockdown conspiracy theorists are clashing with police, fuelled by far-right opportunists.

Question

What is his Department doing to build trust in Government information and address scepticism about vaccination?

Answer from James Brokenshire

I highlight the work that is being led by the DCMS, with which we are working on the cross-Whitehall counter-disinformation unit, which has been stood up during this time of acute disinformation to challenge some of the conspiracy theories and false information. I assure her that there is extensive work across government to analyse and then work with the companies to take false or misleading information down.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific actions or timeline are provided; vague commitment given.

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Q5 Bambos Charalambous Lab Southgate and Wood Green
Crime & Law Enforcement Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The commissioner for countering extremism called for a more rigorous classification system in the online harms Bill.

Question

Does the Minister support a more rigorous classification system for assessing hateful extremist material, and does he agree with the commission's report that the Government's counter-extremism strategy is insufficient?

Answer from James Brokenshire

The 2015 strategy was the first of its kind in the world in having a unit dedicated to countering extremism. I pay tribute to the work of the commissioner, and I read very carefully her words to the Select Committee last week. We will work with the commissioner—indeed, the Home Secretary met her last week—and we are working with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and Ofcom to consider the appropriate design for the regulatory framework.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No clear stance on classification system or agreement with the report; vague response given.

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