In what is a landmark decision, the UK has given a 20-month prison sentence to Jordan Parlour for Facebook posts that were deemed ‘hateful.’ Parlour is the first person to be sentenced for stirring up racial hatred on the social media platform.
The sentence is in relation to the continued riots taking place throughout the country. Parlour was arrested for urging rioters to target a building in his home city of Leeds. The target of his posts was housing asylum seekers, resulting in the sentence Tuesday.
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UK Man is Sentenced to Prison for Facebook Posts Deemed ‘Hateful’
The digital age has consistently struggled with the ideas of censorship and free speech. In 2024, those issues remain at the forefront. Amid Elon Musk’s ongoing issues with the European Union regarding censoring content, one man has officially been sentenced for posts made online.
Indeed, the UK has handed down a 20-month prison sentence for Facebook posts that were deemed ‘hateful.’ Jordan Parlour confessed to posting content on the platform to encourage continued action from rioters. The city of Leeds saw nearly 400 people create an uproar throughout the streets this past weekend, according to the BBC.
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Parlour told the courts he was at home nursing a broken heel. However, he still engaged with the riots through his online content. Throughout August 1–5, Parlour called for rioters to target the Britannia Hotel. Specifically, he noted that “every man and his dog should smash,” the establishment.
The country’s Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, warned of this kind of action. She warned of repercussions for “armchair thugs.” Meaning, the people who create unrest through social media posts. The sentencing has caught the attention of many, including Elon Musk.
Musk took to X (formerly Twitter) to comment on the arrest. Indeed, he posted an image of Peter Griffin from Family Guy being put in prison. “In 2030 for making a Facebook comment that the UK government didn’t like,” he wrote. Conversely, at least two other people received jail sentences for similar social media posts.