West Midlands PCC meets with Prime Minister to urge for a "clamp down" on social media misinformation

It comes as online post have been spread over violent disorder in recent days.

Author: Hannah RichardsonPublished 8th Aug 2024
Last updated 8th Aug 2024

The West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner met with the Prime Minister this morning in Solihull, where he's called for action to be taken to prevent misinformation, fake news and hate from spreading on social media.

It follows days of disorder across the country which has seen violence and disorder spill onto the streets.

Simon Foster has expressed his concern about the speed at which harmful and malicious content can appear online and spread to millions of people, potentially causing civil unrest.

The Commissioner made clear that a clamp down on irresponsible social media firms is long overdue.

Last night, we saw a counter-demo take place in the Jewellery Quarter, after rumours and information was spread of a far right protest there online.

The PCC also raised his campaign for better funding so more police officers can be recruited in the West Midlands to help rebuild community policing.

The West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, Simon Foster, said: “I’m very pleased the Prime Minister came to our region. It shows just how seriously the government is treating the recent disorder and violence.

“I made my message very clear that we must not allow social media companies to get away with enabling hateful online content that can do so much harm and damage.

“These multi-billion pound firms need to know they have a duty to be responsible and must regulate the content on their platforms.”

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