Let’s hope social media has woken up to its obligation

For many people Facebook is a platform to keep in touch with family and share their experiences with friends.

But for some it is a platform to spout racist abuse, fleece the vulnerable out of cash or simply to bully anyone they deem “fair game”.

For years those behind Facebook have shown little in the way of accepting responsibility for the darker side of their social network.

Indeed, in one tragic case they even refused to hand over to police the password of the chief suspect in the murder of a young girl.

However, our revelation that the digital giant has torn down the pages of groups linked to the far right should be offered a cautious welcome.

Social media has given a voice to these pernicious groups, allowing them to peddle conspiracy theories and bile.

Perhaps, the tide is now starting to turn.

Of course, no-one wants to infringe of anyone’s rights to free speech.

But free speech comes with responsibility; a responsibility to put forward opinions that are based on fact and presented fairly.

It does not give you the right to abuse people.

We can only hope that these steps are the beginning of new era of responsibility within social media. Newspapers and TV companies all have to adhere to some form of regulation, be it state-imposed or self-imposed.

Facebook and the likes may well argue that they are not publishers, that they are just a host for information.

That, to put it mildly, doesn’t wash. They make billions every year from advertisers who are attracted by the huge audiences using these sites.

They are gargantuan global businesses that must accept accountability.