SXSW Apologizes For Panel Cancellation, Announces 'Online Harassment Summit'

SXSW has apologized for cancelling two panels designated to address GamerGate, and has also announced a new day-long summit to address online harassment amidst backlash from media corporations and social media.

SXSW Interactive Director Hugh Forrest issued a statement Friday saying, “earlier this week we made a mistake. By canceling two sessions we sent an unintended message that SXSW not only tolerates online harassment but condones it, and for that we are truly sorry.”

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After SXSW received emails the included threats of on-site violence, Forrest issued a statement on Tuesday informing participants that the panels had been cancelled in an effort to avoid any safety issues. The backlash to the decision was swift, and several media partners threatened to pull out of the conference, including BuzzFeed and Vox. The response on social media was rapid as well, prompting U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) to write a letter to Forrest, asking him to reconsider his decision.

Forrest stated that “online harassment is a problem that requires more than two panel discussions to address,” and has added a new event for the scheduled festival. On Mar. 12, there will be a day-long summit dedicated to online harassment. The summit will be live-streamed all day, and will include at least 20 speakers, including women’s rights advocate and former Texas senator Wendy Davis and Congresswoman Clark.

You can find more information on other events at SXSW here on the website.

[Photo: SXSW]