24
Oct
2024
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Abuse of new technologies to manipulate and radicalise young people through hate speech and antidemocratic discourse (debate)
Madam President, Mr Buxadé spoke about the freedom of patriots and the legitimate demonstrations in the United Kingdom against immigration, but I am sure you remember: These were not peaceful demonstrations, they were racist riots where vulnerable people were beaten and stabbed and homes burned. And why? Because they spread a hoax – with the help of Elon Musk – falsely attributing murders to an immigrant when, in fact, the perpetrator was English. And in Spain they tried to do the same. Mr. Buxadé, you are at war with the truth. And the problem is that many people – especially young people – are settling in a parallel world, and fear, hatred and aggression are growing; For you, when you point to those who come with boats, fleeing war or famine, it is so that we do not see those above, the elites, those who exploit them, those responsible for crises. That is why, Commissioner, we need European legislation that protects us from the extreme right, from its hoaxes, as Mr Buxadé said today. Lying destroys democracy, the right to have truthful information and, therefore, to form an opinion and be able to express it. That is not censorship, as the far right has said; If there is no truth, there is no freedom: There is oppression. And as Camus said: The worst epidemic is not biological, but moral. The epidemic of lies.