The language of racial discrimination found in twitter trolling

The language of racial discrimination found in twitter trolling
Case Study: Stan Collymore

I have found two events concearning the racial discrimination of Stan Collymore. More racial descrimination cases are availible, however I have chosen to focus on Collymore due to the lesser media attention than other cases (hoping that if I need to reference the case in the questionaire this case will triggar less emtional attached responced) and as the Collymore has published racist attacks which have been both prosequted and ignored.



High profile case which spread awareness however did not lead to any legal action (all data taken from articles)
HEADLINE: Former England footballer Stan Collymore 'receives 200 vile race abuse Tweets a day'

‘Ex-footballer Stan Collymore has told how he is receiving up to 200 vile hate messages from users on a social network site, with one branding him a 'monkey.'
The talkSPORT radio pundit re-tweeted one of the racist messages he had received from one user who wrote: '@StanCollymore why are u black? U look like a monkey.' 
'Using the code name Wpww-hooligan-88m, the user's Twitter profile states 'My blood is my honour, my race is my pride’ and who profile picture is a swastika with the words white power on. Immediately Collymore, 42, tweeted: 'Had enough of twitter tbf but won’t go because it’s a great work tool, and too much positive feedback. Sick of the daily abuse though.’ 'I must get 150-200 abusive messages a day now, just constant reminders of stuff that happened a long time a go. Not nice at all.’

 

Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2112551/Stan-Collymore-receives-200-vile-race-abuse-Tweets-day-refuses-quit-Twitter.html (Accessed 22nd October 2012)

 

 

 

High profile case which did lead to legal action (Data taken from 2 articles)

HEADLINE: Joshua Cryer, Newcastle Student Who Called Stan Collymore 'Coon' In Racist Tweet, Spared Jail

'Joshua Cryer, 21, admitted using the social networking site to bombard the football pundit with abuse in an attempt to "snare a celebrity", a district judge at Newcastle Magistrates' Court heard today. Cryer told police he hoped to gain a reaction from Collymore, who is a broadcaster for talkSport, campaigns against racism and is a supporter of the Depression Alliance charity.'

'Admitted a charge under section 127 of the Communications Act of sending grossly offensive messages. District Judge Stephen Earl ordered that he complete a two-year community order with 240 hours unpaid work, and pay £150 costs to the court.'

Prosequtor Veronica Jordan said: 'It was not impulsive. He has done this up to seven times over a period of days.’ 'That does not smack of impulsive behaviour’ 'He was intending to insult and abuse.'

SOURCE: http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/03/21/joshua-cryer-newcastle-university-stan-collymore-racist-tweet_n_1369478.html (Accessed 22nd October 2012)



HEADLINE 2 (ACTUAL TWEET CONTENT): Stan Collymore subjected to racist abuse on Twitter

Talksport confirmed that a Twitter user sent one racist message which read: "@StanCollymore has anyone ever called you Stan Cooneymore #greatracistabuse."
The second read: "@StanCollymore has anyone ever referred to you as semi pro as in a semi pro coon #neitherwhitenorblack."
Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jan/07/stan-collymore-racist-abuse-twitter (Accessed 22nd October 2012)