During her keynote address at the SXSW conference, the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, delivered a poignant critique of social and technological platforms that serve as breeding grounds for hatred and bullying. She spoke with searing words about the female online bullies who targeted her during her pregnancies, labeling their remarks as "not merely petty, but truly malicious." Her gaze was also fixed firmly on the major tech platforms that harbor such posts.
At the opening day of the 2024 SXSW conference, the Duchess addressed the crowd, including her husband, Prince Harry, seated prominently in the front row, about the online toxicity she has endured. "I steer clear of it now for my own well-being, but the most intense bullying and abuse I faced online was during my pregnancies with Archie and Lili, and even with each newborn in my arms," she revealed, her voice carrying a weight of emotion. "One wonders why people harbor such hatred. It's not petty, it's vicious. How could you do this to someone who's pregnant or a mother, at such a tender and sacred time?"
Without mentioning any specific names, Markle lambasted social platforms that enable hate, stating, "Even if it generates profits, it makes no logical sense." She continued, "I fail to comprehend this, for I know that some platforms, like this one streaming our event today, are fantastic in allowing people to access such brilliant insights. But they're also platforms that harbor hatred, rhetoric, and incentivize individuals to create pages that churn out inflammatory comments and conspiracy theories, having a devastating impact on mental health and physical safety." Her words seemed to implicitly refer to YouTube, which was broadcasting the panel.
Markle went on to commend Bela Bajaria, Netflix's chief content officer, as a trailblazer in the entertainment industry for her efforts to improve representation for women and diversity. "In her role and position of power, she is able to share this broader vision, ensuring we all feel seen," she said. Markle and Prince Harry signed a reported $100 million production deal with Netflix in 2020 and have since released three projects with the streaming giant. The same year, they also inked an exclusive deal with Spotify, which ended last year.
