Hawaii House Bill HR23

Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/4/24
• Refer: 3/8/24
• Report Pass: 3/19/24
• Refer: 3/19/24

Caption

Declaring Disinformation And Digital Hate Speech As Threats To Democracy And Urging Departments And Agencies To Address These Threats.

Impact

The resolution calls for several actionable measures that state agencies are encouraged to undertake. These include the development of public safety plans to safeguard institutions and personnel from online-organized threats, enhancing media literacy to help citizens recognize and counter disinformation, and establishing protocols to assist victims of hate speech. The emphasis on equipping the public with tools to combat misinformation indicates a shift towards a more proactive approach in ensuring informed citizen participation in democracy.

Summary

House Bill 23 declares disinformation and digital hate speech as significant threats to democracy and urges state departments and agencies to proactively address these issues. The resolution highlights the alarming rise in disinformation and hate speech in recent years, tying it to notable incidents of violence and extremism, such as mass shootings and the January 6th insurrection. This underscores the necessity of governmental intervention to protect public interests and uphold democratic values, reflecting a broader concern regarding the social media environment and its effects on societal harmony.

Contention

While the resolution aims to create a framework for addressing digital hate speech and disinformation, it raises potential concerns regarding freedom of expression. Opponents may argue that measures to combat hate speech could inadvertently infringe upon free speech rights, leading to debates over the balance between protecting public safety and upholding individual liberties. The breadth of language used in the resolution also opens discussions on what constitutes disinformation and hate speech, which can lead to subjective interpretations and enforcement challenges.