Top brands urge social media CEOs to tackle online racism

The world’s top brands have signed Conscious Advertising Network’s (CAN) open letter urging social media company CEOs to tackle online racism and discrimination.

Signatories include leading brands such as Hotel Chocolat, KIND Snacks, Mars, British Gas, VirginMediaO2, KFC and the DRUM; as well as top executives and CEOs. The letter for the chief executives of Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat, is in response to the lack of action on the part of social media companies to combat online discrimination; which left England’s Black football players subject to horrendous levels of abuse after the recent Euro match at the weekend.

“The racism that we saw directed towards England’s players this week, when they should have been celebrating their highest finish in a major men’s tournament in over five decades, followed the trend of abuse that we have seen online over the past few years,” stated the letter. “Racist abuse causes trauma, not only to those who are targeted, but it also has a painful and triggering impact on others who view this online. When offensive, dehumanising and threatening messages are sent to players, it’s not just a question for the social media platforms but those who fund them as well.”

TIME FOR ACTION

The brands, agencies, trade bodies and civil society organisations that have signed the letter, believe it’s time for action; and will no longer “stay silent”. The brands are standing “in solidarity with everyone who has received discriminatory abuse online”; and calling for the advertising industry to come together to find a solution. They are also urging social networks to do more to make their platforms safe for everyone; before the 2021/22 Premier League season begins on 13th August 2021. This includes:

1. Publish updated hate speech policies that include the use of emojis, to support a zero tolerance approach.

2. Advertise zero tolerance approach directly to users.

3. Enforce policies and report racist abuse to the police, employers and relevant football clubs as a crime.

4. Add an interstitial to disrupt potentially racist remarks, and ensure human checking on all posts flagged in this way.

Click here to see the letter and list of signatories.

Earlier this week, the Football Association condemned the online racism targeted at some of its players after England’s defeat in the UEFA Euro final; and urged social media firms and the UK government to step up and stamp out abuse. Click here to read more.