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THE SUN SAYS
Big tech firms have ignored tough talk from politicians for years… this must change with Starmer’s new police unit
More must be done to clean up the Wild West cesspit of social media
Wild West Web
YESTERDAY PM Keir Starmer announced a new police unit to track and identify right-wing agitators, and prevent them travelling across the country causing mayhem this summer.
Anybody who witnessed the sickening riots which followed the Southport stabbings will welcome firm action to prevent a repeat.
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But there are other lessons we MUST learn too.
Firstly, more must be done to clean up the Wild West cesspit of social media, which opens up users to a constant feed of fakery from distorted algorithms.
It was on the likes of Twitter/X where lies about the background of the 17-year-old who is accused of the murderous Southport rampage first spread.
We must also do more to combat disinformation campaigns being mounted by Russia and other malign actors, who amplify dangerous untruths to sow discord.
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The police, meanwhile, can help themselves by not creating information vacuums in which false rumours can easily spread.
At his press conference, the PM had a warning for the big tech firms.
He said: “Violent disorder, clearly whipped up online — that is also a crime. It’s happening on your premises and the law must be upheld everywhere.”
The problem is multi-billion pound social media companies have been ignoring tough talk from politicians for years — and getting away with it.
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Evan’s brave dignity — as a symbol of press freedom in the face of such monstrous injustice — has been inspirational.
LIVE Keir Starmer holds news conference on policing disorder which followed Southport attacks