Social media platform Skykiwi needs to intervene and remove hateful comments made on the platform that amounts to discrimination, a Chinese-Kiwi university professor says.
Skykiwi is self-described as the "most influential Chinese media" in New Zealand but has previously been criticised for xenophobic, homophobic and racist comments posted by its members.
And more comments posted this week appear to discuss whether particular classes of people make better tenants. When shown the thread, Victoria University associate professor of international business Hongzhi Gao said the comments made him feel uncomfortable.
"It appears to be an attitude of discrimination against the lower-economic class," he told Newshub. "It's something I'm not surprised to see… so we can see in this particular thread people thinking the landlord has all the power and tenants should just listen to him.
"I'm not surprised to see this thread - there are some people who think this way - but I am surprised with the platform; that they didn't do anything about it."
The most recent discriminatory Skykiwi thread was subsequently shared on social media site Reddit. While several commenters appeared shocked, others noted it's not the first time discriminatory comments have been posted on the platform.
Gao said Skykiwi would show users they're crossing the line by removing hateful comments.
"This particular thread - it crossed that line. In that regard, I do feel the platform could jump in to address it."
He encouraged Skykiwi to censor hateful comments posted on the forum.
Gao noted, however, it was encouraging that some users on the thread jumped in to try and correct the discriminatory comments.
"They corrected and said what was being said was wrong," he said. "In this case, somebody had some controversial points and people said to him, 'we get your point, but be careful about your language.'"
Newshub has contacted Skykiwi for a response. A spokesperson previously said it monitors users' comments.
"If any user find comments which are against the regulations, it is encouraged if he/she could report to us."
What can and cannot be published on social media in New Zealand is dictated by multiple laws such as the Harmful Digital Communications Act, the Crimes Act, and the Human Rights Act.
