Q&A panel discusses violence against women and role of social media

Misogynistic “hate groups” are a problem in the ongoing fight against violence towards women, a senior politician says.

Tackling the growth of “misogynistic hate groups” is vital in the ongoing fight against violence towards women, a federal MP says.Appearing on the ABC’s Q&A program on Monday night, Murray Watt said online media was being used in a way not possible before.

“The growth of those misogynistic hate groups has got to be tackled and that is a new frontier ... in this ongoing battle,” he said.

“The Andrew Tate’s of this world are playing a very, very dangerous role in fostering that kind of hatred of women.

“I don’t think it’s far-fetched to say that sort of ideology, and that sort of thinking, is having some impact on some of the men who are committing this violence.”

But Mr Watt rejected suggestions a royal commission was needed, noting frontline services and victim survivors wanted immediate action.

Murray Watt said online media was being used in a way not possible before. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

The panel also discussed the recent alleged stabbing of a prominent religious leader in Wakeley, which sparked a legal fight between Elon Musk’s X and the eSafety commissioner regarding the availability online of the video showing the attack.

Broadcaster Tracey Holmes said she was against censorship online.

“I don’t think Elon Musk is contributing to any social cohesion split inside this country,” she said.

“I think our media, our mainstream media, is doing enough of that. I think our politicians do enough of that.”

Nationals Senate Leader Bridget McKenzie commented that other violence, such as the Holocaust and the September 11 terrorist attacks, were available to view online.

“All of these atrocities of humanity are able to be viewed to remind us how bad we can be,” she said.

“It’s appropriate to sometimes have these horrific images and instances available.”

Ms Holmes agreed, adding there was a double standard because we could see the war in Gaza on the news every night.

“If we don’t see it and we don’t understand what’s happening in our world, how do we ask the right questions in order to fix it?” she said.

Mr Watt replied mainstream media were expected to comply with journalistic standards.

“The online space has been completely unregulated and I don’t think that’s OK,” he said.

Originally published as Q&A panel discusses violence against women and role of social media