Yesterday, Helen McEntee claimed that her draconian Hate Speech Bill would be enacted “in the coming months”.

We urge supporters of free speech to turn up this evening to send a clear message.

With Minister McEntee promising to push through her Hate Speech Bill by end of year, we encourage you to write to your representatives at http://oireachtas.ie/en/members.

This is what Rónán Mullen had to say about the extreme bill:

“The EU is loving this new disinformation age because it allows them to regulate the hell out of the internet.”

A Free Speech Ireland activist asked Stella Assange about disinformation legislation.

In recent decades, Dublin has seen many incidences of rioting. These incidents never caused calls for scrapping freedom of speech. And the Hate Speech Bill would actually take Gardaí off our streets.

Leo Varadkar should be ashamed of himself for citing the actions of a few to erode the rights of all.

This is HUGE 🚨

Section 13 of the Hate Speech Bill means that managers and executives could face charges for a hate offence IF AN EMPLOYEE is found guilty of such an offence (e.g., hate speech or possession of hateful material).

Credit to Matheson for their analysis of the legislation:
https://www.matheson.com/insights/detail/hate-speech-bill-corporate-offences-on-the-horizon

This is Ireland's Patriot Act.

With emergency measures regarding Location Data, Facial Recognition Technology, and Data Retention, coupled with an unwillingness to compromise on the radical Hate Speech Bill, some within the executive are determined not to waste a good crisis.

https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2023/11/26/dublin-riots-hate-legislation-to-be-on-statue-books-by-christmas-micheal-martin-says/

Former Justice Minister, Michael McDowell, demands a definition for 'hate' in the Hate Speech Bill.

Minister McEntee previously admitted that she has not included a definition of 'hate' in order to ensure easier convictions. This is retrograde lawmaking to say the least.

There is no democratic mandate in Ireland for the Hate Speech Bill, so why is it being pushed?

There is an international dimension to the Bill, not only in the precedent it sets, but in the effect it would have on other countries.

Sarah Hardiman explains more:

Unlike established NGOs, Free Speech Ireland are a team of volunteers, with no salaries and no government backing.

Please consider supporting our effort:

https://freespeechireland.ie/support-us/

“Trying to sanitise the internet might make the Government feel in control, but it won’t magically mend the fractures in our society.”

- Lorraine Courtney

https://www.independent.ie/opinion/comment/lorraine-courtney-can-our-government-truly-police-disinformation-online-and-should-we-trust-them-to/a2044094244.html

This is the most important chapter in Irish history yet for freedom of speech.

Now more than ever, the scale of what we could be doing has outpaced what we can do. We rely on contributions from people across the country to fight this fight.

If you can, please support us:
https://freespeechireland.ie/support-us/

Coimisiún na Meán have opened a public consultation on Ireland's first Online Safety Code.

While most of what would be enforced upon online platforms is already law, making them liable for content posted by users could result in broad digital censorship.

https://www.cnam.ie/coimisiun-na-mean-opens-public-consultation-on-irelands-first-online-safety-code/

The suggestion that we “turn off X's 'toxic algorithms' that secretly determine what users see and share” is concerning.

X is the only platform with an open source (i.e. transparent) recommender algorithm of those in question under the EU's Digital Services Act.

https://www.irishtimes.com/technology/2023/12/21/focus-on-toxic-algorithms-vital-to-regulate-big-tech-in-meaningful-way

The Hate Speech Bill will return to the Seanad in January. Everyone concerned about its effects will need to vocally oppose it.

Wishing all of our supports & followers the best in the New Year.

This has been a tremendous year for us, but our most important work is yet to come. This wouldn't be possible without the tremendous help and support we receive from you all. Thank you.

We are organising an event for January 23rd. This is a pivotal time for the future of freedom of speech in Ireland.

We want to make entry free so that everyone interested, including students, can attend. If you are in a position to, please help us crowdsource the event's expenses:

https://freespeechireland.ie/support-us

If enacted, the vague definitions of the 2022 Hate Speech Bill would be deeply concerning in conjunction with the Media Regulation Act.

Read more:

https://thehill.com/opinion/4387994-proposed-irish-hate-speech-regulations-could-have-a-chilling-effect-on-freedom/