1 This is a author-created, pre-publication and pre-proofs copy of the text. The definitive chapter is to be found in: Savin, A and Trzaskowski Research Handbook on EU Internet Law (Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd, 2014). Hate and Harm: The Law on Hate Speech Alisdair A. Gillespie. * This chapter considers an issue related to content-based offences on the internet. As is well-known there has, for some time, been concerned about some of the content that is to be found on the internet. Considerable concern has been raised about prima facie illegal material such as child pornography 1 and terrorist material 2 but there is also concern about other types of content including, pro-anorexia websites, 3 pro-suicide websites 4 and material that is sometimes labelled hate speech. In a single chapter it is not possible to consider all types of content and discuss the ways in which it is regulated. Instead this chapter will consider one form of content, that of hate speech and, specifically, the issue of racist and xenophobic material. Tackling racism and xenophobia is a priority of the EU 5 and tackling such material on the internet is thus important. * Professor of Criminal Law and Justice, Lancaster University, United Kingdom. 1 See, for example, S Ost Child Pornography & Sexual Grooming: Legal and Societal Responses (2009, Cambridge University Press). 2 M Conway ‘Terrorism and the Internet: New Media – New Threat?’ (2006) 59 Parliamentary Affairs 283-298. 3 AM Bardone-Cone and KM Cass ‘Investigating the impact of pro-anorexia websites: A pilot study’ (2006) 14 European Eating Disorders Review 256-262. 4 L Biddle et al ‘Suicide and the Internet’ (2008) 336 British Medical Journal 800-802. 5 JJ Garman ‘The European Union combats racism and xenophobia by forbidding expression: an analysis of the Framework Decision’ (2008) 39 University of Toledo Law Review 843-860 at 844-846.