London Free Press - Local News - Hate website fine a first

London Free Press - Local News - Hate website fine a first: "Hate website fine a first

A Human Rights ruling says Internet servers are as liable as their clients for hate material.
By RANDY RICHMOND, FREE PRESS REPORTER


For the first time in Canada, an Internet service provider has been found guilty and fined for hosting websites that spread hate messages against blacks, Jews and Muslims.
In the landmark ruling by the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal yesterday, southern Ontario's white supremacy movement also took a hit, with two leaders and one group found guilty of violating the Canadian Human Rights Act and ordered to pay $8,000 in fines and compensation.
The Internet service provider, Affordable Space. com, was fined $5,000.
'The ruling sends a very strong message that Internet servers, if they are aware there is hate content and don't take timely action to remove it, can be held liable,' said Ottawa lawyer Richard Warman, who filed the complaint in February 2002.
The ruling was the third victory in as many tries for Warman in efforts to shut down Internet hate and a boost to his complaints against several other London-area white supremacists.
'I am absolutely thrilled,' he said. 'This is proof human rights laws work.'
The ruling also shows that online pseudonyms, used by both men in the case, are no protection against the law, said Monette Maillet, the Canadian Human Rights Commission lawyer who argued the case before the tribunal.
'The ruling shows Canadians have no tolerance for hate,' Maillet said.
In the ruling, ex-Londoner James Scott Richardson was fined $1,000 for several Internet postings, including one calling for attacks on Jewish and Muslim agencies, temples and residences.
Longtime white supremacy leader Alex"