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#SpreadNoHate: A Global Dialogue on Hate Speech Against Migrants and Refugees in the Media

You are here: Home / What We Do / Projects and Initiatives / #SpreadNoHate: A Global Dialogue on Hate Speech Against Migrants and Refugees in the Media
Symposium entitled “Hate Speech in the Media” (organized by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC))
Symposium entitled “Hate Speech in the Media” (organized by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC))
Symposium entitled “Hate Speech in the Media” (organized by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC))

Hate Speech Conference

As the number of migrants and refugees continues to rise worldwide, so do anti-immigrant and anti-refugee rhetoric and examples of harsh treatment of these communities. There has been a sharp, global increase in incidents of both governments and individuals using hate speech against migrants and refugees, blaming them for their nations’ struggles. The words used in politics, in the news, and in social media have consequences. As history has shown, rhetorical excesses can give rise to a climate of prejudice, discrimination, and violence.


THE NEED

The media play a crucial role in influencing public perception of migrant and refugee populations and their integration by providing accurate, well researched and objective reporting and analysis. However, both deliberate and unintentional negative portrayals of immigrants and refugees are often found in traditional and new media, thus negatively impacting people’s views of these communities. In this context, creative measures are needed.


ACTION

In late 2015, the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) launched the #SpreadNoHate initiative, a platform engaging global media in a dialogue on hate speech and the sharing of best practices to promote counter narratives in traditional and new media.

LATEST EVENT
Cairo Symposium in Partnership with Egypt Media Development Program (December 2017)

The fifth #SpreadNoHate symposium, organized in collaboration with Egypt Media Development Program (EMDP) brought together 120+ journalists to discuss the various dimensions and experiences of migration and forced displacement within the MENA region, their media coverage, and lessons learned by journalists. The symposium was covered live on Twitter and trended as No. 1 in both the city of Cairo and nationally across Egypt with the hashtag #SpreadNoHate. It was also widely covered in Egyptian media, by news sites, newspapers, and TV. A full report of the symposium will soon be published.

Radhia Achouri, Director, United Nations Information Center-Cairo
Radhia Achouri, Director, United Nations Information Center-Cairo
Chaker Khazaal, Author and Journalist
Chaker Khazaal, Author and Journalist
Nihal Saad, Chief of Cabinet and Spokesperson for the High Representative, United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC)
Nihal Saad, Chief of Cabinet and Spokesperson for the High Representative, United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC)
Rita Izsak-Ndiaye, Elected Member, United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; Former Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues
Rita Izsak-Ndiaye, Elected Member, United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; Former Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues
Rouguyata Sall, Journalist, Bondy Blog (France)
Rouguyata Sall, Journalist, Bondy Blog (France)
Amy Bracken, Independent Print and Radio Reporter and Producer
Amy Bracken, Independent Print and Radio Reporter and Producer

PAST SYMPOSIA
Brussels Symposium in Partnership with the EU (January 2017)

The fourth #SpreadNoHate symposium, co-organized by UNAOC and the European Union (EU) drew on the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants of 19 September 2016 and on its commitment to counter hate crimes, hate speech, and racial violence. Topics discussed at the Brussels symposium included the role of media in the rise of populism, the triggers and mechanisms of hate speech against migrants and refugees, and the role of Internet intermediaries in combating hate speech. The symposium was the number 1 trending topic on Twitter in Belgium. Speakers included Federica Mogherini, the EU’s foreign policy chief, Cecile Kyenge, former Italy’s Minister for Integration, and David Kaye, UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression. A draft summary of the symposium is available here.

Fourth UNAOC #SpreadNoHate symposium co-organized with the European Union in Brussels, Belgium (January 2017)
Cécile Kyenge, Member of the European Parliament – UNAOC #SpreadNoHate symposium in Brussels, Belgium (January 2017)
Moawia M. Ahmed, Journalist and Coordinator of the Greek Forum of Migrants – UNAOC #SpreadNoHate symposium in Brussels, Belgium (January 2017)
From left to right: Kahina Bahloul (Parle-moi d’Islam) and Brittan Heller (Anti-Defamation League) – UNAOC #SpreadNoHate symposium in Brussels, Belgium (January 2017)
From left to right: Ezzat Ibrahim (Al Ahram newspaper), Leila Ghandi (journalist and producer), and Aidan White (Ethical Journalism Network) – UNAOC #SpreadNoHate symposium in Brussels, Belgium (January 2017)
From left to right: Sami Zaptia (Libya Herald) and Blanca Tapia (European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights) – UNAOC #SpreadNoHate symposium in Brussels, Belgium (January 2017)
UNGA71 Side Event, United Nations Headquarters, New York (September 2016)

The third #SpreadNoHate debate took place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York in the margins of the 71st Session of the General Assembly on 15 September 2016. This third phase of the initiative focused on media practice and on the building of positive narratives to prevent and counter xenophobia against migrants and refugees in the media. This side event was co-sponsored by the European Union (EU), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Malta to the UN. The event provided a platform for important discussions in preparation for the UNGA High-Level Summit on refugees and migrants on 19 September 2016.

From left to right: João Vale de Almeida (EU delegation to the UN); William Lacy Swing, Director General (IOM); Nassir Abdulaziz Al–Nasser (UNAOC); Karen AbuZayd (Special Adviser of the Secretary-General on the Summit on Addressing Large Movements of Refugees and Migrants) – UNAOC #SpreadNoHate Side Event during UNGA71, United Nations headquarters (September 2016)
William Lacy Swing (IOM) – UNAOC #SpreadNoHate Side Event during UNGA71, United Nations headquarters (September 2016)
Nihal Saad (UNAOC) – UNAOC #SpreadNoHate Side Event during UNGA71, United Nations headquarters (September 2016)
From left to right: Arun Venugopal (WNYC), Cindy Carcamo (The Los Angeles Times), and Damien Cave (The New York Times) – UNAOC #SpreadNoHate Side Event during UNGA71, United Nations headquarters (September 2016)
UNAOC #SpreadNoHate Side Event during UNGA71, United Nations headquarters (September 2016)
From left to right: Rachel Peric (Welcoming America), Arun Venugopal (WNYC), and Cindy Carcamo (The Los Angeles Times) – UNAOC #SpreadNoHate Side Event during UNGA71, United Nations headquarters (September 2016)
7th UNAOC Global Forum, Baku, Azerbaijan (April 2016)

The second #SpreadNoHate discussion took place in Baku, Azerbaijan, during the 7th UNAOC Global Forum, April 25-27 2016. During this second phase, speakers spoke about the role of media literacy and online human-rights education in countering hate speech. They argued that teaching users – especially young generations – to develop inclusive dialogue online and appropriate tools to react to hateful content are crucial in the combat against hate speech. Speakers included Raphael Minder, Spain and Portugal Correspondent, The New York Times, and Dr. Jolene Jerard, Research Fellow, International Center for Political Violence and Terrorism Research, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies.

#SpreadNoHate panel during the UNAOC 7th Global Forum in Baku, Azerbaijan (April 2016)
Dr. Kemal Ilter (left), Dr. Jolene Jerard (middle), and Dr. Wakar Uddin (right) at the #SpreadNoHate panel during the UNAOC 7th Global Forum in Baku, Azerbaijan (April 2016)
Raphael Minder (Spain and Portugal Correspondent, International New York Times) at the #SpreadNoHate panel during the UNAOC 7th Global Forum in Baku, Azerbaijan (April 2016)
Dr. Kemal Ilter (Visiting Professor of Communication, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) at the #SpreadNoHate panel during the UNAOC 7th Global Forum in Baku, Azerbaijan (April 2016)
Susan Sachs (Journalist and Editor specializing in foreign affairs) at the #SpreadNoHate panel during the UNAOC 7th Global Forum in Baku, Azerbaijan (April 2016)
Menno Ettema (No Hate Speech Movement Coordinator, Council of Europe) at the #SpreadNoHate panel during the UNAOC 7th Global Forum in Baku, Azerbaijan (April 2016)
Launch Event, United Nations headquarters, New York (December 2015)

UNAOC launched the #SpreadNoHate initiative on 2 December 2015 with a one-day symposium at the United Nations headquarters in New York. Participants examined the different measures taken globally to counter hate speech, and discussed their limitations. They also explored the reasons why hate speech remains a pervasive element that contributes to violent extremism, and the link between hate speech and the treatment of migrants. Panelists included Cristina Gallach, UN Under-Secretary-General for Communications & Public information; John Yearwood, World Editor of The Miami Herald; and Agnes Callamard, Director, Global Freedom of Expression & Information, Columbia University. This launch event reached millions of people online, and the official hashtag #SpreadNoHate trended in New York.

Jean-Paul Laborde (Executive Director of the Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate, CTED) at the UNAOC #SpreadNoHate Symposium (United Nations, Dec. 2015)
Dr. Moustafa Bayoumi (Professor of English, Brooklyn College; Author, “How Does It Feel To Be a Problem? Being Young and Arab in America”) at the UNAOC #SpreadNoHate Symposium (United Nations, Dec. 2015)
Opening statement by H.E. Nassir Abdulaziz Al–Nasser (High Representative for the UN Alliance of Civilizations) at the UNAOC #SpreadNoHate Symposium (United Nations, Dec. 2015)
Sydette Harry (Community Lead, The Coral Project) at the UNAOC #SpreadNoHate Symposium (United Nations, Dec. 2015)
Ashraf El Nour (Permanent Observer for the International Organization for Migration to the United Nations) at the UNAOC #SpreadNoHate Symposium (United Nations, Dec. 2015)
Widad Ketfi (Journalist, Bondy Blog, France) at the UNAOC #SpreadNoHate Symposium (United Nations, Dec. 2015)


STRATEGIC MEDIA CAMPAIGN & RECOMMENDATIONS

In addition to a series of global symposia, UNAOC’s #SpreadNoHate initiative consists of a digital communications campaign with the hashtag #SpreadNoHate that has engaged millions of people online globally. Moreover, at the conclusion of the cycle of hate speech symposia, UNAOC will publish a full report comprising a concrete set of recommendations. The report will be made available for download on UNAOC’s website and shared widely within UNAOC’s international network of media organizations, media experts, government officials, Member States, and institutions of higher education across the globe. Finally, the report will serve as a foundation for subsequent UNAOC initiatives in the areas of media and migration.


IMPACT

UNAOC’s #SpreadNoHate initiative benefits journalists of all nationalities, advocates, policy-makers and the general public by providing them with a more complete and nuanced understanding of hate speech and with concrete measures to combat it and promote counternarratives. It also contributes to a richer public debate and better media coverage of sensitive issues related to minorities globally.


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Symposium 5

UNAOC #SpreadNoHate Symposium Goes Viral in Egypt – 13 December 2017

  • Photo Gallery
  • Videos
  • Keynote Remarks
  • Programme
  • Bios of Speakers
  • Media-Friendly Glossary on Migration: Middle East Edition
Symposium 4Symposium 3

UNAOC Organizes #SpreadNoHate Symposium with EU in Brussels- 26 January 2017

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  • Keynote Remarks
  • General Information
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  • Bios of Speakers
  • Summary Report
  • Poster

UNAOC Organizes Side Event on Xenophobia during UN General Assembly – 15 September 2016

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  • Poster
Symposium 2Symposium 1

UNAOC Calls for Hate Speech Crackdown in Baku, Azerbaijan – April 2016

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UNAOC Kicks Off First of Series of Symposia on Hate Speech – 2 December 2015, UNHQ New York

  • Photo Gallery
  • Videos: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3
  • Keynote Remarks
  • Programme
  • Bios of Speakers
  • Social Media Package
  • Poster
  • References
  • Media-Friendly Glossary on Migration

Contact Us

Follow the conversation on social media:

@UNAOC #SpreadNoHate

For questions and inquiries, please contact:

HateSpeech@unaoc.org

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