Internet users now have a "cyber-911" tool they can use to report hate-mongering websites.

The Canadian Jewish Congress Charities Committee has launched a new feature on its website, www.cjccc.ca, to allow people to make it easier to alert the appropriate authorities when they spot racism on the Internet.

"It's the vehicle of choice for these hate-mongers because, with the flick of a key, you can reach hundreds of thousands of people," said Bernie Farber, CJC chief executive officer.

"Twenty years ago, you'd stand out in the cold and the sleet and hand out 10 pieces of paper, hoping that somebody would pick it up. Now ... spreading hatred is easier," said Farber, who praised Attorney General Michael Bryant and Public Safety Minister Monte Kwinter for their efforts to clamp down on Internet hate.

"We have now legal tools in place. But we need to make people aware of these tools. The Canadian Human Rights Commission has been acting quite aggressively on this and police have been starting to act aggressively," he said.

"But I am not sure the public is aware of it. That's why we started this campaign."

To that end, the CJC installed what Farber dubbed a "cyber-911" link on the congress website.

"If you see something on the Net that you think is promoting hatred, we have experts that can assess, and if we think it's crossed the line, we'll send it off to the authorities and let them deal with it."

Farber, one of Canada's leading experts on Internet hate crime, will be testifying at the sentencing in Edmonton tomorrow of Reinhard Mueller, convicted last December of promoting hatred through his website Federation of Free Planets.

"It's always geared toward young people," said the anti-racism activist.

"These hate-mongers are beginning to realize that, if they can't attract young people, their whole concept dies. They're targeting young people and so are we - young people and their parents."

Farber said mothers and fathers have to be wary of what their children are being exposed to in cyberspace.

"It's an effort to create an awareness of Internet hate and have people look at what their children are looking at. In many respects, it's like pornography."

Liberal MPP Mario Racco (Thornhill) promoted the plan to the Legislature in a statement last Thursday.


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