Social media outrage over #Charlottesville attack

LISTEN: Social media law expert Verlie Oosthuizen investigates the legality of these images.

The use of nazi flags and symbols, old South African flags, and other "hate symbols" is an unfortunate reminder that prejudice and discrimination is still alive and well in society today. 

And while those symbols are distressing and disturbing, they are unfortunately not illegal. They fall under freedom of expression provisions and usually have to be tolerated by other members of the public. 

They usually indicate a level of deep prejudice by those who are carrying them, but unless those people are engaging in speech that incites violence or imminent threat against a group based on an inherent quality such as race or gender, they are allowed. This is where society needs to self regulate and make it clear (peacefully and non violently) that these views are unacceptable, as lawmakers cannot step in.

It is horrible to receive reminders of regimes that encouraged hatred and violence, however people who identify with them cannot be censored unless they are encouraging violence or committing violence themselves.

Verlie Oosthuizen