There was a special meeting last night to highlight the affect it has on public safety.
A local rep wants the council to do more to protect people from the harmful impact of misinformation around immigration.
There was a special meeting last night to highlight the affect it has on public safety.
Northside councillor Barry Heneghan requested last night special meeting.
He's calling out the spread of misinformation around immigration and public safety on social media, from elected officials.
He says it urgently needs to be stamped out - with consequences for the culprits.
"Whether we like it or not, social media is the way where people get most of their information these days.
"If you can come out at the start of your video with an outlandish claim, you're going to get retention on that video, and there needs to be people need to be held accountable, like those who are going for election.
"The companies that are providing a platform also need to be held accountable for the spread of misinformation, in my opinion."
Speaking about disinformation and the spread of fear and violence.
— Cllr Barry Heneghan (@BarryHeneghan2) October 15, 2024
Thanks you to every cllr who supported the motion.
The government through lack of clear information with our communities has created a vacuum which allows fear to spread through misinformation.#DCC pic.twitter.com/kGhX0jVjFC
During the meeting, he got plenty of backing in the chamber, including from Soc Dems rep Daniel Ennis and Sinn Fein's Janice Boylan.
Cllr Ennis said:
"These are the few in our communities, and a few in this chamber.
"They won't win, and hate won't win, because our communities are full of love, acceptance and compassion.
"Together, we're stronger."
While, Cllr Boylan said:
"Social media is a tool that we all use.
"Communicating of factual information is an absolute must.
"We must receive the proper information from all relevant bodies, including the government, before the falsehoods are allowed to grow legs and run."
Cllr Heneghan also accused the Government of “creating a vacuum which allowed harmful misinformation to spread”.
It comes after false rumours were spread recently, around a man allegedly posing a threat to people in Finglas, and despite clarity from the gardai.
