As the Internet has fully fledged, the rise of extremist sites has kept intensifying in nu
mber and in professional composure," (the Age, May 14 2009). Extremist groups have made the Web their "prime tool" to transmit hate, and the number of online dogmatist on Facebook is growing faster than efforts to remove them (the Age, May 14 2009). Every aspect of the Internet is being used by extremists of every classification to replicate old hatred, degrade the Enemy, and to raise funds in support of their ‘force’ as the Australia first party refers to themselves. The Internet’s unique global reach and scope combined with the difficulty in monitoring and tracing communications make it the prime tool for extremists and terrorists (the Age, May 14 2009).Social net
working sites like Facebook, MySpace, and YouTube, which have millions of users, are being used by extremist groups to engage members. As these sites are well known and common within society it does not come as a surprise that extremists actually utilise these sites to recruit more members. Further, by cleverly making these extremist sites readily available it is expected that these groups will develop and gain followers.Through well developed sites and easy accessibility it is inevitable that any average Joe could just go on a random site, become intrigued with the debatable topics presented and eventually get brainwashed with the information readily displayed. So does that mean the web really is the prime tool for eExtremist? Yes I believe so. Social networking sites like Facebook, MySpace, and YouTube, which have millions of users, are being used by extremist groups to engage members. As these sites are well known and common within society it does not come as a surprise that extremists actually utilise these sites to recruit more members. Further, by cleverly making these extremist sites readily available it is expected that these groups will develop and gain followers.
For exam
ple consider ‘Australia first party’ Founded by Graeme Campbell Member for Kalgoorlie Federal Parliament between 1980 to 1998, this is a mild Australian extremist group compared to major American groups however still holds substantial weight. The Australia First Party (AFP) is an incorporated body, and as such, may also become a federally registered political party under the sponsorship of the Australian Electoral Act. Australia First Party is a political party which as incorporated under the provisions of the Associations Incorporation Act 1984 (NSW) shall be formally known as "Australia First Party (NSW) Incorporated" but which for ease of expression in this Constitution shall be referred to as "Australia First" or "the Party".
When considering such a group for example, I know that personally if I came across this site with a naive mentality I would be fooled. The fact that it is a ‘website designed to serve 
Australian nationalist’ is immediately assumed that these people might actually be a positive influence rathe then a negative impact. With the patriotic images of Australia land marks, historical images and the clear display of the Australian flag of course people will be deceived, it looks so genuine. But don’t be fooled, if you take a minute to actually read some of their articles you will be shocked at some of the racists comments they make for example “Overseas Students Go Home!”
However, something thing that really got me thinking was the fact that they actually call themselves a ‘Force’ I mean does that not immediately bring shivers down your spine it’s like your joining a gang rather then a political group which in hindsight is true. Then as I had a look at there membership page I was even more shocked when I read this “The AFP offers membership to all who agree with the programme and who are willing to abide by the constitution of the party. Prospective members complete a membership form. Abide by the constitution of the party, what is that? That’s ridiculous I can’t believe they actually have a constitution that a member needs to ‘abide by’. Personally I think this is more like a cult then a political group.
To conclude, it should come as no surprise that the internet does play a pivotal part in the development of eExtremist groups, with the widespread publicity and the lack of censorship and control it is an inevitable fact that people are actually influenced through the World Wide Web.
Australian nationalist’ is immediately assumed that these people might actually be a positive influence rathe then a negative impact. With the patriotic images of Australia land marks, historical images and the clear display of the Australian flag of course people will be deceived, it looks so genuine. But don’t be fooled, if you take a minute to actually read some of their articles you will be shocked at some of the racists comments they make for example “Overseas Students Go Home!”However, something thing that really got me thinking was the fact that they actually call themselves a ‘Force’ I mean does that not immediately bring shivers down your spine it’s like your joining a gang rather then a political group which in hindsight is true. Then as I had a look at there membership page I was even more shocked when I read this “The AFP offers membership to all who agree with the programme and who are willing to abide by the constitution of the party. Prospective members complete a membership form. Abide by the constitution of the party, what is that? That’s ridiculous I can’t believe they actually have a constitution that a member needs to ‘abide by’. Personally I think this is more like a cult then a political group.
To conclude, it should come as no surprise that the internet does play a pivotal part in the development of eExtremist groups, with the widespread publicity and the lack of censorship and control it is an inevitable fact that people are actually influenced through the World Wide Web.
links:
http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-technology/web-prime-tool-for-hate-groups-wiesenthal-center-20090514-b3n2.html The Age (15 may 2009)
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