Jim Gavin demands action over online smear campaign

Fianna Fáil presidential candidate Jim Gavin has called on social media companies to take stronger action against what he described as “utterly false and destructive smears” circulating about him online.

In recent days, a number of fabricated stories targeting Mr Gavin have been shared across social media platforms.

He said the posts were designed to damage both his reputation and his candidacy in the upcoming Presidential election.

“This is not just about me as a public figure,” he said.

“Nobody, whether a private citizen or in public life, should have to endure this type of malicious abuse which can have very real impacts on people, their families and their friends.”

Mr Gavin confirmed that his legal representatives have issued letters to Meta, X, TikTok and media regulator Coimisiún na Meán demanding immediate action.

Meta has since confirmed that several posts were removed from Facebook and Instagram, along with a number of comments found to be in breach of its community standards.

Responses from X, TikTok and Coimisiún na Meán are still awaited.

The former Dublin football manager said the growing problem of online disinformation and harassment is an issue affecting every level of society.

“Every person in our country knows the real and growing threat posed by online hate and disinformation.

“It is one of the forces driving division and conflict in many societies.

“It is also the cause of mental health issues among young people who face bullying and harassment online,” he said.

Mr Gavin referenced recent discussions in the Dáil, where the Ceann Comháirle convened talks on abuse and threats directed at political figures, as evidence of how serious the problem has become.

“I refuse to accept that the price of participating in public life should involve putting your family and friends through waves of online abuse and malicious smears.

“This is not the cost of service – it is a failure of our digital culture,” he said.

He added that he intends to continue pressing for accountability from social media platforms.

“I will take whatever action is necessary to confront this appalling feature of social media.

“We all need to call it out for what it is: totally unacceptable.

“Social media companies must do far more to protect people from such nasty and destructive behaviour online.”