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TÁNAISTE MICHEÁL MARTIN has singled out Elon Musk as being partially responsible for the violence that has erupted in multiple cities in Ireland and the UK.
He claimed the wider discussion about migration has consisted of “mindless ill-informed” arguments, while much of the recent violence has targeted specific groups, which he considers to be unacceptable.
Speaking on Radio Kerry, Martin said: “I think Elon Musk and I think X is problematic; they have a totally different approach in this.”
Telegram, a messaging platform used during the Dublin riots, saw massive traffic from North America that was “pumped” into platforms in Ireland, Martin says.
According to him, there were “very real issues” in terms of how social media had a role in facilitating violence and the kind of aggression we witness on streets in recent times.
Social media platforms – some cooperate with State authorities, others don’t.
His comments come as Belfast is recovering from multi-day riots that saw people assaulted and premises burned.
The Tánaiste said he was “taken aback” by the scenes.
According to him, there is “mindless ill-informed stuff” going on with regards to the wider issue of migration.
“The level of violence we are seeing in Britain we are seeing in Northern Ireland and to a lesser extent in the Republic simply has to stop,” he said.
“The level of aggression and hate that comes from that is something we should have no part of in Ireland.
“We do have to draw demarcation lines in respect of the nature of protests.”
He added that in a democracy people have a right to protest, argue and advocate.
Therefore there is no need to be wearing balaclavas and material that is intimidating to people.
Minister of Justice Helen McEntee has received preliminary advice on how to address the increase in collective violence but the Tánaiste said there is “far more detail work to be done on that but before it could be realised”.
Respect for difference is fundamental to our value system, Martin said..
“Many of these protests are targeted at particular groups and that is not acceptable and I would be very concerned at what is happening in Britain at the moment and in terms of what is happening in Belfast,” he reiterated.
After the riots in Dublin in November, Minister McEntee had claimed that X did not engage with gardaí and didn’t even fulfill their own community standards.
In response, X said it met with the Coimisiún na Meán on Friday 24 November – the day after the riot. The social media company added that gardaí did not make any formal requests to the platform until late on Monday 27 November.
X claimed that when it was contacted by Gardaí it responded “promptly”.
“The only appeal we have received from the Gardai relating to the enforcement of our rules is for a single post.”
The UK government pledged to take a “very robust approach” to social media companies in the wake of the riots.
British Justice Minister Heidi Alexander told Sky News: “The idea that you can sit behind a computer screen or sit behind the screen of your mobile phone and somehow think that that protects you from the law is for the birds.
“So we will take a very robust approach to the social media companies, I know that Peter Kyle the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology is already in conversation with them.
“There has been some welcome action where there has been automated removal of some false information, but I do think the social media companies could and should be doing more.
They have got a moral responsibility not to be propagating and disseminating misleading and inflammatory content on their platforms.
In Cheshire, two people have been arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated harassment with intent to cause fear and violence after a social media post encouraging members of the public to protest outside a hotel.
A police spokesperson said officers received reports on Sunday of a post on Snapchat encouraging people to attend a protest outside the hotel, which it falsely stated was home to a number of asylum seekers.
The post did not result in disorder, the force said.
With reporting by the Press Association
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Most of the public outrage could easily be calmed with alot more transparency from Governments regarding Migration. Silent Governments, forcing through their policies without public consideration only adds fuel to the fire! Openness and truthful communication is key.
@Padhraic McLaughlin: unfortunately our government’s past and present don’t do the Truth.
Look, whether you like the man or not, he’s right. Social media is poison. No wonder the journal closes comments on certain stories.
@offside again: he is right but politicians giving out about using social media to stir things is also a bit rich
They literally create burner accounts and spend taxpayer’s money on spin teams spreading lies and false information to beat each other during elections
You can’t run with the hares and then hounds either like he’s doing here
@Tom Newell: what SF/IRA do doesn’t apply to the normal parties
@Pat Hazzard: what are ya on about lad, talking about parties in government lad, try keep up
@Tom Newell: Any evidence of this?
@Tom Newell: I wonder where personnal responsability went. The government is not accountable for the shite people spout online ffs
MM government is to blame really for their immigration policy. X reflects the anger some of the Irish people have with the issue of immigration. Now saying that, there is an element of society trying to stir up trouble with their comments.
The problem is everyone can see this coming but politicians have decided stick their head in the sand
Elon appears to be the hero of the far right. Imagine that, a venture capitalist. Just like the Rothchilds and many many WEF members. The far right really are a soft bunch.
@Argus Romsworth: and a champion of Green energy
@Argus Romsworth: Are the far right in the room with you now.
@087 bed: I think they’re up with the loyalists
Social media platforms have no sense of responsibility or moral compass, but the far-right and Trump supporter Musk’s X has gone utterly rogue. He and his nefarious cohorts would love to foment civil wars around the world, provided they are started by far-right fascist thugs. Of course, dictatorships such as Putin’s Russia also relish stoking up division and fragmentation. It is a threatening and dangerous time to be a defender of democracy and of civil and human rights!
@James Hanley: If anything, twitter used to be a ultra left echo chamber but since musk it did a complete 180, which is the same sh*te, just a different colour. I don’t think either side carries the full responsibility but everyone is so obsessed with whether they’re right or left we arrived at American levels of political discourse, which is really scary. Things that would have been seen as differing view points 15 years ago are now being given so much undeserved importance, people won’t speak to their neighbours anymore creating a division which makes it even easier for our politicians to ignore our demands or actually represent us, as we, the people are too busy with our infighting.
People lie and people tell the truth, both at times are wildly inaccurate. Life is a paradox, deal with it.
@Thesaltyurchin: aye….any free society recognize this…..if they don’t, then it’s not free…..problem is the population has been purposely dumbed down that most aren’t capable of critical thinking.
Ban Twitter, a hell scape
@Stevie Doran: Ban RTE.
Well, Martin should bring in laws all these companies are a law on themselves. So deal with it.
Musk ONLY cares about selling advertising. If that means giving fascists and racists a platform then so be it.
@Arcadian Productions: Some truth in what you are saying, however the Mainstream media has a lot to answer for, who do you believe?
Ferryman is always blamed
Musk and all those other social media companies are the lowest kind of subhuman filth.
have your say