The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) has issued 151 cautionary statements to social media users for various forms of offensive and divisive content between January and May of this year, with racial and ethnic slurs accounting for the largest share of violations detected online.
According to the Commission’s monthly update for May 2026, its Media Monitoring Unit (MMU) has remained actively engaged in monitoring traditional and social media platforms for statements capable of inciting racial hostility, intolerance or social division.
The ERC said that up to May 22, the MMU had issued 151 cautionary statements to social media violators for varying levels and types of infractions.
The highest recorded category of violations was stand-alone racial and ethnic slurs, with 41 incidents recorded. Intolerant, prejudicial and insensitive statements collectively accounted for another 35 infractions.
For the period April 24 to May 22, the Commission recorded eight racial slurs, eight racially insensitive or prejudicial statements, five xenophobic statements, one racially stereotypical statement, two racially divisive statements and three racially derogatory comments.
The Commission urged citizens to exercise responsibility, respect and restraint when engaging on social media and other public platforms.
Meanwhile, the Commission’s Investigative Unit reported a total caseload of 83 matters spanning the period 2022 to 2026. Of those matters, 23 are pending sub-committee review, 17 remain under investigation, while 33 have been either closed, completed or withdrawn.
Three new matters were received during the latest reporting period, bringing the number of cases recorded for 2026 to 17 so far.
