25 suggestions made to protect public staff from hate speech

A citizens’ panel formed for preventing hate speech and online shaming submitted its final report to Minister of Local Government Sirpa Paatero on Thursday.

The citizens’ panel was assembled in February to discuss measures that Finland should take to protect those working in public occupations from hate speech and to safeguard free expression of opinion, said the Ministry of Finance in a press release.

The report contains 25 measures proposed by the citizens’ panel.

The Citizens’ panel emphasises the need to make hate speech and online shaming visible, ensure definitions are straightforward and clear, and communicate with public on the basis of these definitions, besides the proportionality of penalties, legal protection of victims, prevention, sufficient resources, and the responsibility of online platforms.

Research on the subject, along with communication and training, will also play an important role. The recommended measures were published separately in February.

The panel participants were selected from all over the country through random sampling.

The panel was organised by Åbo Akademi University’s Social Science Research Institute (Samforsk). The work was commissioned by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Justice.

“The OECD has found that hate speech and online shaming directed at people working in public posts and positions are growing problems in Finland. The government takes these matters very seriously. Tackling this is part of a change in political culture that we are striving for. The free expression of opinion in a constructive environment without offending others is at the core of a well-functioning democracy. If a democratic system is able to function well, it will also be possible to introduce reforms in society and to bring greater equality,” said Paatero.

The Ministry of Finance is setting up a preparatory working group which will operate to a condensed timeframe and will also include the Ministry of Justice and Ministry of the Interior.

The group, in consultation with different ministries, has until the end of May to draw up timetables and allocate responsibilities for implementing the recommendations of the citizens’ panel.