New SA criminalising hate-speech bill goes too far
A new draft hate-speech bill, based partly on Australian laws, would even criminalise merely bringing a group into contempt or ridicule, writes Gary Moore
The Department of Justice has invited the public to comment on a draft parliamentary bill containing a clause that would create an offence of "hate speech". The gist is that a person will be guilty of hate speech if they intentionally communicate to another person in a manner that advocates hatred towards any other person or group, or is threatening or abusive or insulting towards them. Communicating includes spoken statements, gestures and displays, written and illustrated matter, and electronic communications. The wrongdoer’s action must, having regard to all circumstances, demonstrate clear intent to stir up violence against a person or group or bring them into contempt or ridicule, or to incite others to harm a person or group whether the harm occurs or not. The wrongdoer’s action must be based on (the targeted person or group’s, presumably) race or ethnic origin or colour, birth or social origin or nationality, sex or gender or sexual orientation or gender identity, religion or...
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