Hate speech is rising around the world
Hate speech incites violence and intolerance. The devastating effect of hatred is sadly nothing new. However, its scale and impact are now amplified by new communications technologies. Hate speech – including online – has become one of the most common ways of spreading divisive rhetoric on a global scale, threatening peace around the world.
The United Nations has a long history of mobilizing the world against hatred of all kinds to defend human rights and advance the rule of law. The impact of hate speech cuts across numerous UN areas of focus, from protecting human rights and preventing atrocities to sustaining peace, achieving gender equality and supporting children and youth.
Because fighting hatred, discrimination, racism and inequality are among its core principles, the United Nations is working to confront hate speech at every turn. This mission is enshrined in the UN Charter, in international human rights frameworks and in global efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech
In response to the alarming trends of growing xenophobia, racism and intolerance, violent misogyny, antisemitism and anti-Muslim hatred around the world, UN Secretary-General António Guterres launched the United Nations Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech on 18 June 2019. This first UN-wide initiative designed to tackle hate speech provides a road map on how the Organization can support and complement States' efforts. The strategy emphasizes the need to counter hate holistically, while respecting freedom of opinion and expression, and to collaborate with relevant stakeholders, including civil society organizations, media outlets, tech companies and social media platforms. In 2021, the General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming 18 June as the International Day for Countering Hate Speech.
HATE SPEECH, MIS- AND DISINFORMATION
While there are no
universally accepted definitions of hate speech mis- and
disinformation, UN entities have developed working definitions.
Hate speech, according to the
working definition in the United Nations Strategy and
Plan of Action on Hate Speech, is “any kind of communication in speech, writing
or
behaviour, that attacks or uses pejorative or discriminatory language with
reference to a person or a group on the basis of who they are, in other words,
based on their
religion, ethnicity, nationality, race, colour, descent, gender or other
identity factor”.
The difference between mis- and disinformation lies with intent.
Disinformation is information that is not only inaccurate, but is also intended to deceive and is spread in order to inflict harm. Misinformation refers to the unintentional spread of inaccurate information shared in good faith by those unaware that they are passing on falsehoods.
Misinformation can be rooted
in disinformation as deliberate lies and misleading narratives are weaponized
over time, fed into the public discourse and passed on unwittingly.
In practice, the distinction
between mis- and disinformation can be difficult to
determine.
Mis- and disinformation and
hate speech are related but distinct phenomena, with
certain areas of overlap and difference in how they can be identified,
mitigated and
addressed. All three pollute the information ecosystem and threaten human
progress.
The devastating effect of hatred is sadly nothing new. However, its scale and
impact are now amplified by new communications technologies. Hate speech
– including online – has become one of the most common ways of spreading
divisive rhetoric on a global scale, threatening peace around the world
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