Death threats: Vile, not virtual

All right-thinking people will condemn the vile abuse directed at Labour Party senator Lorraine Higgins by online ‘trolls’. The latest attack includes the third online death threat the senator from Galway has received this year.

Much of the abuse has been channelled through online companies such as Facebook and Twitter yet, according to Ms Higgins, their response to concerns she voiced over online bullying in general has been less than satisfactory.

Facebook did not respond to questions about the number of online threats they referred to gardaí and Twitter’s response was to forward her a copy of their policy.

If traditional media — the Irish Examiner included — had facilitated such hate campaigns in any way, they would have been subjected to the full force of the law.

Yet social media conglomerates, while enjoying special tax status in Ireland, do not appear to be assuming any responsibility for online bullying of this sort. Decency and fairness should ensure that they do not simply wash their hands of this heinous conduct.