Insults on the Internet - With AI against hate - Mihambo calls for more civil courage
Artificial Intelligence, legal steps and a clear stance: At the Paris Summer Games, Olympic athletes are to be protected from hate comments on the internet. Due to the anticipated increase of racism, hate posts, threats or religious insults online, the German Sports Federation (DOSB) intensified the fight against hate speech.
There is close cooperation with law enforcement agencies, relevant cases are to be reported "consequently". During the European Football Championship in Germany, over 1,000 hate comments against the DFB team were reported. Of these, over 800 hate comments were identified as legally relevant.
AI filters to help
At the Olympics and Paralympics, the German Olympic Sports Federation (DOSB) relies on Artificial Intelligence for the protection of athletes. Up to 25 filters will be used on social media channels to filter out hate before publication. Severe offenses will be reported to the authorities to enable an accusation to be filed.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is also taking new steps. An online monitoring system will be available to over 15,000 athletes and more than 2,000 officials at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
"Sport and social media are inseparably connected. At Paris 2024, we expect around half a billion social media posts," said Kirsty Burrows, head of the Safe Sport Unit at the IOC. The AI-supported system is expected to monitor thousands of accounts on all major social media platforms and in over 35 languages in real time.
Appeal from Olympic champion Mihambo
Despite all technical help and legal consequences for perpetrators, a clear stance in society is also required. Long jump Olympic champion Malaika Mihambo appeals for more civil courage in the fight against racism. "We have a problem with racism in Germany. That's not new, but now more and more people are expressing their racist thoughts. That should be a wake-up call for all of us that something is wrong here," said the athletics star of the German Press Agency.
"Everyone plays a role in racism: as a victim, perpetrator or as a spectator. As a society, we are called upon to ensure that there are no spectators and that everyone, whether affected or not, actively sets limits for perpetrators," said the 30-year-old. "One definitely has to show more civil courage again. It's about values that you have to fill your life with."
Schröder and the "Internet trolls"
Basketball star Dennis Schröder welcomes the approach of the associations. He himself wants to organize events against racism in the coming years. "I believe that we athletes can still do a lot more so that real changes happen," said the 30-year-old to the "Braunschweiger Zeitung".
Schröder also campaigned politically for himself as flag bearer at the opening ceremony on this Friday. He spoke of "a statement for German-Africans" and "a sign against racism".
The hateful comments against him - it seems - roll off the self-confident national team captain. "These internet trolls, as I call them, because they only feel strong in the anonymity of the net, let them do what they want," said Schröder. Other athletes might not be "mentally strong enough to put up with it".
100-meter record holder welcomes cooperation
The support from the associations is all the more important. After Owen Ansah cracked the 10-second barrier over 100 meters as the first German sprinter in late June, he was exposed to racist comments. As a result, the German Athletics Association (DLV) is cooperating with the Central Office for the Fight against Cybercrime at the Federal Prosecutor's Office.
"I'm glad that the DLV has entered into cooperation with the prosecutor's office to clarify everything and I, as an athlete, don't have to deal with it", said Ansah on ZDF-Sportstudio.
"This cooperation is an important step to counter 'haters' on the internet", said DLV Chairman Idriss Gonschinska. "Additionally, we have recommended the DOSB protection program against Hate Speech to all female and male athletes of the DLV nominated for the Olympics."
Special Protection at the Olympics
Similarly, other associations also make recommendations. "We will protect our athletes, not only but especially during major sports events, where they are particularly in the spotlight", said DOSB President Thomas Weikert.
Mihambo hopes that the greater public presence in the fight against racism will help. "It's important that we talk about racism. For years, this topic was not addressed, but now it has gained the attention it needs. And we feel the consequences of the long silence", said Mihambo.
- The Olympic Games in Paris will see a focus on protecting athletes from hate comments online, as anticipated racism, hate posts, threats, and religious insults increase.
- The German Sports Federation (DOSB) has strengthened its fight against hate speech, working closely with law enforcement agencies to handle relevant cases effectively.
- During the European Football Championship in Germany, over 1,000 hate comments directed at the DFB team were reported, with over 800 identified as having legal significance.
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) will be utilized by the German Olympic Sports Federation (DOSB) at the Olympics and Paralympics to filter hate speech on social media channels, with up to 25 filters being employed.
- The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is adopting new measures, implementing an online monitoring system for athletes and over 2,000 officials at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
- Kirsty Burrows, head of the Safe Sport Unit at the IOC, noted the inseparable connection between sport and social media, anticipating around half a billion social media posts during the 2024 Games.
- Long jump Olympic champion Malaika Mihambo emphasizes the need for civil courage in society to combat racism, likening it to a collective responsibility in addressing perpetrators, victims, and spectators.
- Dennis Schröder encourages greater involvement from athletes in combating racism, planning to organize events addressing the issue in the near future.
- Basketball star Schröder remains unphased by hateful comments, viewing the internet trolls as only provoked when they feel safe in their online anonymity.
- The German Athletics Association (DLV) cooperates with the Federal Prosecutor's Office's Central Office for Fighting Cybercrime to address hate speech following racist comments towards 100-meter record holder Owen Ansah.
- In light of the growing presence of hate speech in sports, DOSB President Thomas Weikert emphasizes the need for special protection for athletes, particularly during major sporting events.
