Hate in Cyberspace: Regulating Hate Speech on the Internet

The speed at which information can be spread throughout the United States and other countries has been greatly enhanced by the Internet. This computer-driven, technological medium consists of various modes of transmission, including discussion groups, interactive pages, and mail services. A wide variety of pictorial, auditory, and written information is available on the Internet. Persons with disparate goals can access and affect large audiences through it.

Both those seeking social improvement and those promoting racist violence can now increase the magnitude, diversity, and location of their audiences. Persons advancing democratic ideals and those inclined to exclusionary elitism can use e- mails and electronic chat rooms to communicate with like-minded individuals located in different cities and in other lands.