Fake News, Child-kidnapping Gangs and Violence against the Roma Community in France: Making Social Media Accountable
Fake News, Child-kidnapping Gangs and Violence against the Roma Community in France: Making Social Media Accountable

Summary/Abstract: Can fake news lead to violence? There have been several examples in recent years where fake news has sparked serious incidents, usually in cases when the false information tapped into issues which were already charged with emotion. In the example analysed in this paper, a rumour that circulated on social media about a van on the streets of Paris was tied with the age-old racist stereotype of Roma kidnapping children. The result was a series of violent incidents against the Roma community, mob justice and lynching. In response to events such as this, European countries and social media have increased their efforts in combatting fake news by passing legislation, the effects of which are still unclear. The paper approaches the topics of social media responsibility for incidents such as the one above, while examining some of the measures taken so far. It argues that much like other spheres of public interest, given social media’s importance for freedom of expression, the time for stricter regulation and accountability has come. It concludes that the recent legislative efforts carry their own risks and, without the threat of financial liability for social media, may prove insufficient.

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