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- When I became First Minister I said I wanted to lead one of the most accessible governments in the world. My personal use of Twitter is an important part of that accessibility.
- Since I joined Twitter, I have sent more than 10,500 tweets and I have received thousands more. Some of those responses are enthusiastic, engaging positively with my views on politics, books, tennis, The X Factor and a whole range of other issues besides.
- Others disagree with me. Sometimes that disagreement is measured, polite and thoughtful. On other occasions it is abusive and sometimes it is simply vile.
- Frankly, the level of abuse directed at me online on any given day would make people’s hair stand on end were they to see it. I choose to simply ignore it, but that doesn’t mean that online comments which cross the line of decency are acceptable.
- Where political disagreement is passionate and robust, open, honest and conducted with respect, it is welcome. Even where views are expressed using language that I wouldn’t use, I accept that – after all, that’s in the nature of free speech.
- But where people use Twitter to threaten violence, or hurl vile abuse, or seek to silence the voice of others through intimidation, that is not acceptable – and we must all say so loudly and clearly.
- Just like every other politician, I volunteered to be in public life and with that comes an acceptance of public criticism. I don’t expect everyone to agree with me – it would be a dull world if they did.
- Robust political debate is part of our public life and we must cherish it, even when it takes place in terms or in language we might not personally use.
- But what simply cannot be tolerated is the lowering of our political debate to threats of violence, or to insults and abuse based on misogyny, homophobia, sexism, racism or disability.
- No one should be subject to threats or abuse of that nature as a result of sharing their views, whether they do so in a parliament, a pub or on the internet.
- A few months ago, appalling homophobic and misogynistic comments were made about Tory leader Ruth Davidson. They were unacceptable. I said so publicly and my party acted against the person responsible. And we will not shirk from those decisions in future.
- Obviously, I can’t police Twitter single-handedly. I follow 3,500 people and am followed by almost 230,000 – I can’t personally keep track of everything that is said.
- But when tweets or postings from SNP members that cross the line are brought to our attention, we will act – as we have done before.
- That is why I am making clear today that the SNP will take steps to warn those whose behaviour falls short of the standards we expect.
- We will tell them to raise their standard of debate, to stick to issues, not personalities, and to ensure robust and passionate debate takes precedence over abuse and intemperate language.
- And I am also making clear that, where appropriate, we will take disciplinary action. In the SNP we have a code of conduct and online guidance for our members.
- Where that code is broken, members should have no doubt that we will use our disciplinary processes.
- Of course, anyone who suggests that Twitter abuse is one-way traffic is wrong. It spans the political spectrum. That is why, across all parties, we must send out a clear message that politics in Scotland will not be sullied by this behaviour. We must ensure that as politicians we set a good example and debate the issues not the insults.
- Raising the standard of debate is a responsibility across the board and I urge all parties to do as we have done – to say clearly that crossing the line will not be tolerated.
- And then we should all stop feeding the trolls. The fact is that internet and social media is a huge positive for our political culture and a tiny minority should not be allowed to destroy that.
- Amid the stories of cyber-bullying and abuse, the lurid headlines and the partisan outrage, we must remember that the opportunity the internet provides for a broader range of opinions to be heard is something precious.
- Just as the first printing press in the 15th century opened up opportunities for learning, debate and democracy, so the internet has brought fresh opportunities for the 21st century.
- From pro-democracy movements in the Middle East to campaigns such as ‘everyday sexism’ here at home, the internet provides a platform to share experiences that otherwise wouldn’t be heard.
- It has the power to change our society for the better. Let us all aim for that.
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