Doha: Every year on June 18, the world celebrates the International Day for Countering Hate Speech, aiming to raise awareness of the dangers of hate speech and its negative effects on societies, while mobilizing international efforts to confront it and consolidate values of respect, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence.
According to Qatar News Agency, this international occasion comes amid escalating challenges concerning the spread of hate speech across digital spaces and social media platforms, accompanied by misinformation, incitement, and discrimination targeting individuals or groups based on religion, race, origin, language, cultural affiliation, or other identities. The United Nations warns that hate speech poses an increasing threat to social peace, community cohesion, and global stability, especially with the rapid development of digital technology and artificial intelligence.
This year's events focus particularly on the role of media and informational literacy in countering hate speech in the digital age. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) announced the release of an issue brief titled "Media and Information Literacy: Combating Hate Speech in the Digital Age," emphasizing the importance of critical thinking and digital literacy in reducing online hate.
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) affirms that the strategy for this international day is based on the UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech, launched in 2019 in response to growing international concerns about the widespread dissemination of such speech globally.
The United Nations defines hate speech as any form of verbal, written, or behavioral communication that uses discriminatory or derogatory language towards a person or group based on their identity, religious, ethnic, national, cultural, or other personal characteristics. This type of speech can create fertile ground for discrimination, violence, conflicts, and human rights violations. It is often an early indicator of escalating social tensions and may precede mass violence and serious crimes against humanity, making combating it essential for preventing conflicts and promoting international peace.
In this context, the UN emphasizes that confronting hate speech does not mean restricting freedom of expression but requires balancing fundamental rights with preventing incitement to discrimination, violence, and hatred. It calls for strengthening legislation, public policies, and developing mechanisms for monitoring, awareness, and digital education.
Experts and organizations, including the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue (DICID), emphasize that addressing hate speech is a shared responsibility, requiring efforts from governments, educational institutions, media, technology companies, civil society organizations, and individuals to build inclusive, tolerant societies valuing human diversity.
Dr. Ibrahim bin Saleh Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the DICID, highlighted the dangers of hate speech, describing it as a pathological phenomenon threatening societies. He emphasized the role of media in shaping perceptions and the importance of maintaining freedom of opinion while preventing the spread of misleading ideas and hate speech.
Educational expert Hussein Al Yafei stressed Islam's rejection of hate speech, advocating for respect, justice, and dialogue among diverse cultures. He called for strengthening moderate religious discourse and utilizing digital platforms to promote positive values and critical thinking.
Dr. Moaz Ben Massoud from Qatar University illustrated the dual role of media in addressing hate speech, advocating for media literacy as a fundamental tool in empowering individuals to verify information and think critically. He emphasized the responsibility of social media platforms, calling for stricter regulation and transparency in content moderation.
As the International Day for Countering Hate Speech is observed, global calls are being renewed to strengthen dialogue among cultures and religions, reinforce mutual respect, combat misinformation, and build cohesive societies capable of addressing shared challenges while safeguarding human dignity.
Source: Qatar News Agency