The latest trolling example in the AFLW – and in sport in general – has struck Tayla Harris.
A remarkable photograph of Tayla showing her athletic kicking style was posted by Chanel 7 on the AFL Twitter account.
Her leg extension reminded me of the photo of Tony Locket kicking the point that put the Swans into the grand final years ago.
Tayla who plays for the Carlton Blues AFLW team was shown kicking a goal against the Western Bulldogs from 45 metres. That in itself was a fantastic achievement and the best advertisement for the AFLW which has taken some criticism this year.
Tayla Harris of the Blues. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media)
But what happened was that the posting unleashed a lot of nasty, demeaning and sexist comments which so upset everyone that channel 7 deleted the post. This was a mistake and made it appear that Tayla had done something wrong.
It also created another interest group screaming at Channel 7. Talk about from the frying pan into the fire!. Channel Seven – in an attempt to defuse the controversy – then backflipped and put it back online.
Any sensible, normal soul would look at the photo and say “Wow! What an athlete!” But these people are not sensible and normal.
They are scum and deserve not to have their horrible comments published.
It is usually hard to identify them without a lot of forensic research and when there are located it may be difficult to pin a crime on them because trolling is a newish disturbing internet trend.
The law does not punish comments that say mean things only those that incite violence, racism, anti-religious comments and other noxious acts.
What to do to stop this?
I say that the law should be changed and that the providers – i.e. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc – be fined for posting mean, anti social and sexist comments.
This will mean that they have to install the appropriate filters. Facebook will identify and not publish the offensive troll comment, withdraw it and notify the troll that if they insist on publishing the post they must show cause why it should not be published.
The provider then has the final decision.
I can foresee that this will seriously limit the open slather that the trolls currently have and will attract another horde of free-speechers bemoaning the restriction. I reckon it is worth it.
Rabbitz
Roar Guru
I shouldn't bother, but you seem to be forgetting a little matter called jurisdiction. The Australian (or any) government can legislate all they want, but if the content is hosted elsewhere it all comes to nothing. Also, I for one don't want social media companies becoming de facto censors and enforcers of what they believe is right and proper. They have proven themselves to be not trustworthy, so why trust them with such matters?
Jack
Guest
Oz Rugby players take note of Harris' kicking technique; straight and high follow through, powerful enough to lift her off the ground. Aggressive run up. Not across the body and a walking approach. Wallabies have lacked a kicking weapon since Andrew Walker and have lost the kicking duals for years.
Don
Roar Rookie
Cue the free speech brigade who think you should be able to call anyone anything anywhere and at the same time expect that the courts should defend their rights to do so should they be sued (or hopefully received a smack in the mouth) in return.