NZ: Māori online bashing on the rise, former police officer warns

http://www.pmc.aut.ac.nz/pacific-media-watch/nz-m-ori-online-bashing-rise-police-officer-warns-8338

Ex-police officer Steve Elers says there must be a line between
what is acceptable and not in terms of online bashing. Image: qut.edu.au Monday, June 24, 2013 Item: 8338 By Khing Chadwick AUCKLAND (Pacific Media Watch / Pacific Scoop): Online bashing of Māori is on the rise, says a researcher at AUT University. Steve Elers, a former police investigator who is researching a doctorate in communication studies at AUT, stumbled across “offensive” online sites this month. Elers says he was searching for information on Māori identity using internet search engine tools. There is a growing trend of online Māori bashing, he says.

He is investigating Māori identity in the context of social media and the internet. “I hope this will prompt further discussion on racism in New Zealand that focuses on online content in terms of censorship or laws,” Elers says. “While everyone has the right to freedom of speech, I think there is a line that has been crossed of what is acceptable and what isn't.” Anonymous postings

He returned to New Zealand to live in 2012 after working for the Western Australian police for several years. “From personal experience, I have to say I experienced less personal racism in Perth. The Aussies love Māori.” Elers not only discovered negative content about Māori on social media and web forums but found hundreds of anonymous web postings on forums. He says the Domain Name Commissioner should take action and deregister the offensive sites. Elers says the internet is as an amazing tool within a global society. However, it is also being used for bullying and harassment where people are more likely to be brash and bold online because they have the ability to say whatever they want anonymously.

“Looking at it from another perspective, it actually demonstrates that racist attitudes do exist in New Zealand.

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