Matthew Steeples questions Katie Price’s newfound interest in abuse on social media and how it is dealt with
When Katie Price appeared on the BBC’s Daily Politics last week to highlight her campaign to criminalise online trolling, I joined those saluting her.
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Having myself been part of the case that ultimately resulted in the racist bigot Viscount St Davids being sent to prison for using Facebook to offer rewards to kill others, I know first-hand the trauma online trolling can cause. It can be as offensive and scary as a heavy breathing phone call or poison pen letter and, as this publication has repeatedly stated before, given the profits made by social media operations, it is time that they accepted that it is their responsibility to regulate their users.
On the programme, Miss Price remarked:
“I’ve had two people arrested. They took it as far they could… But I need to do something… There is nothing in place so I am going to fight to get online abuse made a criminal offence.”
“Anyone is allowed freedom of speech but people know when they’ve crossed the line… People shouldn’t get away… Just because it’s online people don’t seem to take it serious [SIC]… Of course you can say things people won’t agree with.”
“I’ve got five children but they are aware they only pick on Harvey… Basically I’m counting on them [Members of Parliament] to put a good case and take it to the next level. If no one believes in this, they’ve got no heart and no soul.”
In response, on the programme, the former Cabinet Minister Justine Greening told the BBC’s Jo Coburn:
“I really admire Katie Price… The Internet revolution is challenging every aspect of our lives.”
“It’s not a question of limiting what people can say but we should have the same laws for online as well as offline… I hope to see some sensible proposals that will tackle the kind of things that Katie Price and her family have had to suffer…. MPs have had to suffer too. It’s not acceptable.”
Whilst it is easy to agree with Price’s sentiments, it now transpires she might not exactly be innocent herself. Allegations of her partaking in ‘revenge porn’ against her ex-husband Alex Reid have since surfaced and, equally, given that she’s known as a brilliant self-publicist, one is simply left questioning this glamour model’s true motivations.
Follow The Steeple Times at @SteepleTimes and Matthew Steeples at @M_Steeples
Readers have their say
6 comments
You are quite right Matthew and I know you have come to be quite an expert in this field. Katie Price seems to be seeking publicity for herself rather than campaigning for others and calling it “Harvey’s Law” is indication of such. As you have pointed out before, if Theresa May hadn’t called her pointless election the law that had been proposed before would have progressed and this matter would already have been dealt with. Once again, SHAME ON THERESA MAY.
How dare you attack Katie Price. She is doing the right thing and just like dear Gerry and Kate McCann she is simply trying to help her beloved child. The Steeple Times is a disgrace and you should devote your resources to helping FIND MADELEINE, FIND HER NOW. Stop taking on the wrong causes and support FIND MADELEINE.
Oh not you again! Hasn’t anyone told you Madeleine is dead? Certainly the dogs knew and we all know where the cadaverine was found. Time to trott off Pam.
Oh Gillian
Gillian Gillian Gillian Gillian Gillian Gillian Gillian Gillian Gillian Gillian Gillian Gillian
Gillian Gillian Gillian Gillian Gillian Gillian.
You are like a broken record, and have become so Nauseatingly boring. What will make you happy Trott? Would you like me to take the hat around and start a collection for dear Gerry and Kate McCann? I will kick it off with a fiver if it means we don’t have to hear from you again. I’m sure there are others here that would be happy to do the same. GO AWAY YOU BLOODY BORING MONOTONOUS PERSON.
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Pwoah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Send her Down Under!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’ll sort her out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yummy!!!!!!!!!!!