UN issues policy paper addressing online hate
The UN Office and the University of Essex’s ESRC Project on Human Rights, Big Data, and Technology have developed a policy document emphasizing the importance of upholding human rights and the rule of law in combating hate speech online.
The UN Office and the University of Essex’s ESRC Project on Human Rights, Big Data, and Technology issued a policy document titled ‘Combating and Tackling Hate Speech Online: A Guide for Policymakers and Practitioners.
In addressing online hate, the policy provided several recommendations to combat it, including:
- Respect for human rights and the rule of law is crucial when countering online hate speech.
- Transparency should be enhanced in content moderation, content curation, and regulation.
- Positive narratives should be promoted to counter online hate speech and engage and empower users.
- Accountability should be ensured, judicial mechanisms strengthened, and independent oversight mechanisms enhanced.
- Multilateral and multistakeholder cooperation should be strengthened.
- Community-based voices should be prioritized, and context-sensitive policies should be formulated to protect vulnerable groups and counter online hate speech.
The UN Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, Alice Wairimu Nderitu, emphasized that marginalized groups have been targeted by online hate speech and stressed the importance of stakeholders stepping up efforts to maintain non-discrimination progress.
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