At 3pm on Friday until 11:59pm on Monday, all WalesOnline sports social media channels will join the boycott of social media as part of the campaign against online hate.
We join all titles across Reach plc, our parent company, in being silent on our sport social media accounts for this period as we stand with sport against hate. The Welsh Rugby Union and regional rugby teams have also announced they will take part in the boycott, as have Cardiff City FC. Swansea City FC announced their week-long boycott of social media in early April after its players were racially abused on social media.
Wales international football stars have also recently spoken out about being racially abused on social media. And after the Six Nations, the WRU highlighted the abusive messages directed at Welsh international rugby star Liam Williams.
We believe it is important that our voice is added to the calls for greater action against online hate and that we be a force for good in the communities we serve. When the boycott is over, and individuals and groups return to social media, racism and hate won't be defeated. The conversation, and action, must continue, grow and contain more voices elevated to a wider audience to tackle racism and hate in sport and beyond.
