Disinformation is information that is not only inaccurate, but is also intended to deceive and is spread in order to inflict harm. Disinformation can be spread by State or non-State actors in multiple contexts, including during armed conflict, and can affect all areas of development, from peace and security to human rights, public health, humanitarian aid and climate action.
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.
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”.
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.
Source: Our Common Agenda: Policy Brief 8: Information Integrity on Digital Platforms
Our Common Agenda: Report of the Secretary-General
(A/75/982, 5 August 2021)
https://undocs.org/A/75/982
https://www.un.org/en/content/common-agenda-report/
Our Common Agenda is the Secretary-General’s vision for the future of global cooperation. It calls for inclusive, networked, and effective multilateralism to better respond and deliver for the people and planet and to get the world back on track by turbocharging action on the Sustainable Development Goals. It outlines possible solutions to address the gaps and risks that have emerged since 2015, calling for a Summit of the Future that will be held in 2024.
Our Common Agenda: Policy Brief 8: Information Integrity on Digital Platforms
https://www.un.org/sites/un2.un.org/files/our-common-agenda-policy-brief-information-integrity-en.pdf
“Summary: … The present policy brief is focused on how threats to information integrity are having an impact on progress on global, national and local issues. In Our Common Agenda, I called for empirically backed consensus around facts, science and knowledge. To that end, the present brief outlines potential principles for a code of conduct that will help to guide Member States, the digital platforms and other stakeholders in their efforts to make the digital space more inclusive and safe for all, while vigorously defending the right to freedom of opinion and expression, and the right to access information. The code of conduct for information integrity on digital platforms is being developed in the context of preparations for the Summit of the Future. My hope is that it will provide a gold standard for guiding action to strengthen information integrity. …”
United Nations Global Principles For Information Integrity: Recommendations for Multi-stakeholder Action
https://www.un.org/sites/un2.un.org/files/un-global-principles-for-information-integrity-en.pdf
The United Nations launched new Global Principles for Information Integrity on 24 June 2024, emphasizing the need for immediate action to address the harms caused by misinformation, disinformation and hate speech. UN Secretary-General António Guterres outlined key recommendations aimed at making information spaces safer while at the same time upholding human rights such as freedom of speech. “At a time when billions of people are exposed to false narratives, distortions and lies, these principles lay out a clear path forward, firmly rooted in human rights, including the rights to freedom of expression and opinion,” he said. The Secretary-General urged governments, tech companies, advertisers and the public relations (PR) industry to take responsibility for the spread and monetization of content that results in harm.
Information Integrity
- Website: https://www.un.org/en/information-integrity
- Global Principles for Information Integrity: https://www.un.org/sites/un2.un.org/files/un-global-principles-for-information-integrity-en.pdf
- Algorithms should not control what people see, UN chief says, launching Global Principles for Information Integrity (UN News, 24 June 2024): https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/06/1151376
Misinformation
- UN News Tag “Misinformation”: https://news.un.org/en/tags/misinformation
- UNESCO – How to combat misinformation?
Misinformation and hate speech are proliferating rapidly due to digital tools. UNESCO has developed an unparalleled worldwide strategy to eradicate this problem while safeguarding freedom of expression. This strategy will be revealed on Monday, November 6:
https://www.unesco.org/en/freedom-expression-online - UNHCR – Social media campaign tackles misinformation about treacherous Darién jungle (21 October 2024): https://www.unhcr.org/news/stories/social-media-campaign-tackles-misinformation-about-treacherous-darien-jungle
- The spread of misinformation & disinformation continues to be used as a weapon in the war in #Gaza (1 September 2024): https://www.unrwa.org/newsroom/official-statements/spread-misinformation-disinformation-continues-be-used-weapon-war-gaza
- UN chief calls for new era of social media integrity in bid to stem misinformation (UN News, 12 June 2023): https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/06/1137562
- UNDP – Rise Above: Countering misinformation and disinformation in the crisis setting: https://www.undp.org/eurasia/dis/misinformation
- Delegates call for greater linguistic diversity, efforts to combat misinformation, disinformation, as Committee on Information continues annual session (PI/2310, 25 April 2023): https://press.un.org/en/2023/pi2310.doc.htm
- Fighting misinformation and cyberbullying in middle school (UNESCO, 28 March 2023): https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/fighting-misinformation-and-cyberbullying-middle-school
- WHO kicks off deliberations on ethical framework and tools for social listening and infodemic management (10 February 2023): https://www.who.int/news/item/10-02-2023-who-kicks-off-deliberations-on-ethical-framework-and-tools-for-social-listening-and-infodemic-management
- New UN course helps cut through the noise to bolster online safety (UN News, 3 November 2022): https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/11/1130167
- Collaboration is key to countering online misinformation about noncommunicable diseases – new WHO/Europe toolkit shows how (20 October 2022): https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/20-10-2022-collaboration-is-key-to-countering-online-misinformation-about-noncommunicable-diseases–new-who-europe-toolkit-shows-how
- Five ways media and journalists can support climate action while tackling misinformation (UN News, 3 October 2022): https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/10/1129162
- Infodemics and misinformation negatively affect people’s health behaviours, new WHO review finds (WHO/Europe, 1 September 2022): https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/01-09-2022-infodemics-and-misinformation-negatively-affect-people-s-health-behaviours–new-who-review-finds
- UNDP tool to fight misinformation scales globally as a digital public good: iVerify becomes the first digital public good that tackles information pollution during elections with plans to further expand its use (17 May 2022): https://www.undp.org/press-releases/undp-tool-fight-misinformation-scales-globally-digital-public-good
- Are you sure you want to share that? Sorting online fact from fiction (UN News, 25 November 2021): https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/11/1106172
- Be careful what you share. Things aren’t always what they seem online. (WHO, 22 September 2021): https://www.who.int/news/item/22-09-2021-be-careful-what-you-share.-things-aren-t-always-what-they-seem-online
- Digital misinformation / disinformation and children: 10 things you need to know
(24 August 2021): https://www.unicef.org/globalinsight/stories/digital-misinformation-disinformation-and-children - UNESCO publications on “Misinformation”: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/search/a3ad7a0d-f489-4504-a852-48e516da6609
Mis- and Disinformation on Climate Change
- Myth Busters – The facts on climate and energy: https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/science/mythbusters
- WMO joins Global Initiative for Information Integrity to fight climate disinformation (20 November 2024): https://wmo.int/media/news/wmo-joins-global-initiative-information-integrity-fight-climate-disinformation
- New UN initiative aims to counter climate disinformation (19 November 2024): https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/11/1157191
- UNESCO – Addressing Disinformation and Eco-Anxiety: Encouraging Youth to Take Positive Action on Climate Issues – The Campus explores how scientific disinformation and eco-anxiety influence young people’s perceptions of climate change: (13 September 2024): https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/addressing-disinformation-and-eco-anxiety-encouraging-youth-take-positive-action-climate-issues
- Tackling climate mis/disinformation: ‘An urgent frontier for action’ (UN News, 30 October 2023): https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/10/1142972
COVID-19 MISINFORMATION
- Understanding disinformation in the context of public health emergencies: the case of COVID-19 (WHO/Europe, 26 January 2024): https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/375832/WER9904-38-48.pdf
- WHO chief warns against misinformation over global pandemic accord (23 March 2023): https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/03/1134967
- Caribbean carnival performers take stage to fight COVID disinformation (UN News, 18 February 2023): https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/02/1133632
- Misinformation that Omicron is ‘the last COVID-19 variant’ fuelling uptick worldwide: WHO (UN News, 16 March 2022): https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/03/1114062
- Managing the COVID-19 infodemic: Promoting healthy behaviours and mitigating the harm from misinformation and disinformation – Joint statement by WHO, UN, UNICEF, UNDP, UNESCO, UNAIDS, ITU, UN Global Pulse, and IFRC (23 September 2020): https://www.who.int/news/item/23-09-2020-managing-the-covid-19-infodemic-promoting-healthy-behaviours-and-mitigating-the-harm-from-misinformation-and-disinformation
- Verified: UN initiative to combat the growing scourge of COVID-19 misinformation
https://shareverified.com/
- #PledgetoPause: Misinformation is prolonging the pandemic. But by pausing to think before you share information online you can save lives
https://shareverified.com/pledge-to-pause/ - Guide to COVID-19 vaccine communications: a practitioner’s guide to the principles of COVID-19 vaccine communications (December 2020): https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/3894424?ln=en
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public: Mythbusters: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters
- Infodemic Management New Flashes: https://www.who.int/teams/risk-communication/infodemic-management/news-flashes
- How to report misinformation online: https://www.who.int/campaigns/connecting-the-world-to-combat-coronavirus/how-to-report-misinformation-online
- Understanding the infodemic and misinformation in the fight against COVID-19: https://www.who.int/health-topics/infodemic/understanding-the-infodemic-and-misinformation-in-the-fight-against-covid-19
- The WHO global infodemic manager community of practice is growing and tackling COVID-19, monkeypox and other outbreaks (26 September 2022): https://www.who.int/news/item/26-09-2022-the-who-global-infodemic-manager-community-of-practice-is-growing-and-tackling-COVID-19-monkeypox-and-other-outbreaks
- New online course to fight the infodemic (2 February 2022): https://www.who.int/news/item/02-02-2022-new-online-course-to-fight-the-infodemic
- What is Go Viral? The GO VIRAL! game helps protect you against COVID-19 misinformation (23 September 2021): https://www.who.int/news/item/23-09-2021-what-is-go-viral
- Fighting misinformation in the time of COVID-19, one click at a time (27 April 2021): https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/fighting-misinformation-in-the-time-of-covid-19-one-click-at-a-time
- Q&A: Inoculating against COVID-19 misinformation (UNESCO, 18 May 2021): https://en.unesco.org/news/qa-inoculating-against-covid-19-misinformation
- Vaccination Demand Observatory launched to strengthen local communication programmes to address vaccine misinformation (28 April 2021): https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/vaccination-demand-observatory-launched-strengthen-local-communication-programmes
- Vaccine misinformation management field guide (UNICEF, December 2020): https://reliefweb.int/report/world/vaccine-misinformation-management-field-guide
- Online misinformation and disinformation in the age of COVID-19 – A conversation with disinformation expert Renée DiResta: (9 July 2020): https://www.unicef.org/globalinsight/stories/online-misinformation-and-disinformation-age-covid-19
- Stop the virus of disinformation: the risk of malicious use of social media during COVID-19 and the technology options to fight it (UNICRI, November 2020): http://www.unicri.it/sites/default/files/2020-11/SM%20misuse.pdf
- Digital tools and strategies in COVID-19 infodemic response: Case studies and discussion (ITU, 2021): http://handle.itu.int/11.1002/pub/81b35853-en
- Refworld (UNHCR) search for information on “Misinformation”: https://bit.ly/3qWrgTZ
- Towards a world of data we can trust, UN DESA Policy Brief 121: https://www.un.org/development/desa/dpad/publication/un-desa-policy-brief-121-bringing-the-data-community-and-policy-makers-together-to-ensure-a-world-with-data-we-trust/
- Information pollution significantly impacts online debates on COVID-19 in Latin America and the Caribbean, UNDP and Constella study warns (24 March 2022): https://www.undp.org/press-releases/information-pollution-significantly-impacts-online-debates-covid-19-latin-america
Disinformation
- Countering Disinformation: https://www.un.org/en/countering-disinformation
- Speakers spotlight need to boost connectivity, tackle disinformation in conflicts and elections, as Fourth Committee continues its information debate (GA/SPD/817, 5 November 2024): https://press.un.org/en/2024/gaspd817.doc.htm
- Speakers in First Committee say malicious activity in cyberspace promotes propaganda, espionage, disinformation, worsens conflicts (GA/DIS/3749, 25 October 2024): https://press.un.org/en/2024/gadis3749.doc.htm
- WFP – Why disinformation threatens humanitarian operations in restive DRC: Wilfred Nkwambi, WFP’s North Kivu area head in northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, explains how effective communication is key to delivering assistance and building trust (22 October 2024): https://www.wfp.org/stories/why-disinformation-threatens-humanitarian-operations-restive-drc
- UNDP – Would I lie to you? How disinformation is taking us through the looking glass (11 September 2024): https://feature.undp.org/would-i-lie-to-you/
- Online disinformation : UNESCO unveils action plan to regulate social media platforms (6 November 2023): https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/online-disinformation-unesco-unveils-action-plan-regulate-social-media-platforms
- UNESCO – University students combat online disinformation and hate speech in Summer #YOUth Camp: Youth joined efforts in advocating for positive narratives, giving a voice to the voiceless, and promoting diversity and equality across the region (19 October 2023): https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/university-students-combat-online-disinformation-and-hate-speech-summer-youth-camp
- Building a digital army: UN peacekeepers fight deadly disinformation (UN News, 19 August 2023): https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/08/1139682
- A/78/288 (7 August 2023): Promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression: note / by the Secretary-General: https://undocs.org/A/78/288
Explores the negative impact of gendered disinformation, especially on women and gender nonconforming persons, and its implications for the right to freedom of expression - UNICRI – “Stop the virus of disinformation” training successfully conducted in Kyiv (19 July 2023): https://unicri.it/News/Countering-preventing-disinformation-training-Kyiv-Ukraine
- UNDP – Debunking disinformation: iVerify platform combines human skill and technology to check the facts ahead of elections in Sierra Leone (6 June 2023): https://www.undp.org/stories/debunking-disinformation
- UNICRI – “Stop the virus of disinformation” training successfully conducted in Chișinău
(29 May 2023): https://unicri.it/News/Stop-virus-disinformation-training-in-Moldova - At UNESCO, a call to regulate digital platforms in the face of online disinformation and hate (23 February 2023): https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/unesco-call-regulate-digital-platforms-face-online-disinformation-and-hate
- UNICRI releases the Handbook to combat CBRN disinformation (13 January 2023): https://unicri.it/News/Hanbook-to-combat-disinformation
- High-level panel discussion on countering the negative impact of disinformation on the enjoyment and realization of human rights: Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (A/HRC/52/55, 29 December 2022): https://undocs.org/A/HRC/52/55
- True or false? Here are five ways to manage false information about risk (16 December 2022): https://www.undrr.org/news/true-or-false-here-are-five-ways-manage-false-information-about-risk
As the world grapples with the impacts of the climate crisis, effective risk communication is critical to reduce disaster risk. But the rise in fake news and disinformation can hamper efforts to raise awareness of risks and prepare communities. - Podcast Awake at Night – S6-Episode 4: Fighting Disinformation to Survive (9 December 2022): https://www.un.org/en/awake-at-night/S6-E4-irene-khan-fighting-disinformation-to-survive
- Global dialogue: online gendered disinformation (5 November 2022): https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/global-dialogue-online-gendered-disinformation
On 25 January 2023 on the occasion of the International Day of Women in Multilateralism, UNESCO is generating a global dialogue to advance effective responses to online gendered disinformation - Freedom of expression is key to countering disinformation (OHCHR, 3 November 2022): https://www.ohchr.org/en/stories/2022/11/freedom-expression-key-countering-disinformation
- Countering disinformation for the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms: Report of the Secretary-General (A/77/287, 12 August 2022): https://undocs.org/A/77/287
- High-level panel discussion on countering the negative impact of disinformation on the enjoyment and realization of human rights / delivered by Michelle Bachelet, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights at 50th session of the Human Rights Council (28 June 2022): https://www.ohchr.org/en/statements-and-speeches/2022/06/high-level-panel-discussion-countering-negative-impact
- UN’s rights council adopts ‘fake news’ resolution, States urged to take tackle hate speech (UN News, 1 April 2022): https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/04/1115412
- A/HRC/RES/49/21: Role of States in countering the negative impact of disinformation on the enjoyment and realization of human rights / Resolution adopted by the Human Rights Council on 1 April 2022: https://undocs.org/A/HRC/RES/49/21
- A/RES/76/227: Countering disinformation and promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms : resolution / adopted by the General Assembly on 24 December 2021: https://undocs.org/A/RES/76/227
- Disinformation and freedom of opinion and expression: Report of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, Irene Khan (A/HRC/47/25, 13 April 2021): https://www.ohchr.org/en/calls-for-input/reports/2021/report-disinformation
- Countering Digital Disinformation While Respecting Freedom of Expression (Broadband Commission, September 2020): https://broadbandcommission.org/publication/
balancing-act-countering-digital-disinformation/ - Innovative test teaches the ABC’s of disinformation (UNESCO, 5 November 2020): https://en.unesco.org/news/innovative-test-teaches-abcs-disinformation
- UNESCO and UNDP launch consultation on the impact of disinformation (7 October 2020): https://en.unesco.org/news/unesco-and-undp-launch-consultation-impact-disinformation
- Memory institutions are uniquely positioned to combat COVID-19 disinformation
(UNESCO, 1 September 2020): https://en.unesco.org/news/memory-institutions-are-uniquely-positioned-combat-covid-19-disinformation - UNESCO publications on “Disinformation”: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/search/051e03ad-4fd1-481a-9ccb-443e46a80c99
Hate Speech
- UN Digital Portal against Hate Speech – #NoToHate
https://www.un.org/en/hate-speech - UNESCO – Countering hate speech: It starts with words
https://www.unesco.org/en/countering-hate-speech
Hate speech in the form of xenophobia, racism, antisemitism, anti-Muslim hatred, anti-LGBTQI+ hatred, misogyny and other types of intolerance is on the rise worldwide, spreading faster and further than ever before through social media. Both online and offline, hate speech targets and dehumanizes people and peoples based on who they are – often by actors seeking political gain. UNESCO counters hate speech through education and media and information literacy, promotes international standards on freedom of expression to address root causes of hate speech, and supports countries to build effective responses, including by fostering the capacity building of regulators and judicial operators and advocating for enhanced transparency of internet companies. - United Nations Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech
https://www.un.org/en/hate-speech/un-strategy-and-plan-of-action-on-hate-speech
In response to the alarming trend of rising hate speech around the world, Secretary-General António Guterres launched the United Nations Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech, on 18 June 2019.
Seeking to enhance the UN’s response to the global phenomenon of hate speech, this strategy is the outcome of close collaboration between 16 entities under the UN Working Group on Hate Speech and is coordinated by the United Nations Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide.
The Strategy makes a firm commitment to step up coordinated action to tackle hate speech, both at global and national levels. - Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect
- United Nations Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech: Detailed Guidance on Implementation for United Nations Field Presences (September 2020)
https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/3889286 - Guidance Note on Addressing and Countering COVID-19 related Hate Speech, 11 May 2020 (prepared by the UN Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect in collaboration with the UN working group on hate speech) https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/3863213
- 18 June – International Day for Countering Hate Speech (A/RES/75/309)
https://www.un.org/en/observances/list-days-weeks - Further UN documents on “Hate Speech”: https://bit.ly/3tNytr4
- UN News Tag: Hate Speech: https://news.un.org/en/tags/hate-speech
- A Comprehensive Methodology for Monitoring Social Media to Address and Counter Online Hate Speech (Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect, September 2024): https://www.un.org/sites/un2.un.org/files/comprehensive_methodology_monitoring_social_media.pdf
- Silencing the hate: How UNDP is empowering youth to counter online hate speech (18 June 2024): https://www.undp.org/stories/silencing-hate-how-undp-empowering-youth-counter-online-hate-speech
- Intolerance, hate speech often very cause of wars, conflicts, speaker tells Security Council (SC/15731, 14 June 2024): https://press.un.org/en/2024/sc15731.doc.htm
- Stories from the UN Archive: Nigerian Nobel Laureate condemns online hate (13 June 2024): https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/06/1150986
- Hate Speech and Incitement to Hatred in the Electoral Context (OHCHR, May 2024): https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/tools-and-resources/hate-speech-and-incitement-hatred-electoral-context
- UNESCO dedicates the International Day of Education 2024 to countering hate speech (16 January 2024): https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/unesco-dedicates-international-day-education-2024-countering-hate-speech
- UN Women – Creating safe digital spaces free of trolls, doxing, and hate speech (13 November 2023): https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/explainer/2023/11/creating-safe-digital-spaces-free-of-trolls-doxing-and-hate-speech
- Video Message by the President of the General Assembly, H.E. Mr. Dennis Francis, “Hate has no place in our world” (3 November 2023): https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1z/k1z9b10p6r
- “I feel out of place in my own country”: UNESCO seeks comprehensive solutions to rising hate speech in South Asia (24 August 2023): https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/i-feel-out-place-my-own-country-unesco-seeks-comprehensive-solutions-rising-hate-speech-south-asia
- Stamp out hate speech, persecution based on faith: Guterres (UN News, 21 August 2023): https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/08/1139937
- From the Body to the Digital: Promoting Freedom of Expression and Creation to Counter Hate Speech (UNESCO, 11 August 2023): https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/body-digital-promoting-freedom-expression-and-creation-counter-hate-speech
- A/RES/77/318: Promoting interreligious and intercultural dialogue and tolerance in countering hate speech: resolution / adopted by the General Assembly on 25 July 2023: https://undocs.org/A/RES/77/318
- New UN policy paper on countering and addressing online hate speech has been launched (5 July 2023): https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/07/1138382
- Countering and Addressing Online Hate Speech: A Guide for Policy Makers and Practitioners: https://bit.ly/3PNC7w7
- Representation, memory, participation and sharing to Countering Hate Speech (UNESCO, 22 June 2023): https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/representation-memory-participation-and-sharing-countering-hate-speech
- UNESCO gathers stakeholders of “Social Media 4 Peace” project for a Twitter Space to celebrate the International Day for Countering Hate Speech (21 June 2023): https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/unesco-gathers-stakeholders-social-media-4-peace-project-twitter-space-celebrate-international-day
- UN Video: Hate Speech | When Words Kill (19 June 2023): https://youtu.be/YxGBuBA5qfc
- Combatting hate speech is a shared responsibility: UN General Assembly President (UN News, 19 June 2023): https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/06/1137842
- Second International Day for Countering Hate Speech: “It Begins With Words and Each of Us: Effective Action to Counter Hate Speech” – High-Level Panel Discussion (UNDP, 19 June 2023): https://www.undp.org/speeches/second-international-day-countering-hate-speech-it-begins-words-and-each-us-effective-action-counter-hate-speech
- We must work together to reign in ‘toxic and destructive’ hate speech (UN News, 18 June 2023): https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/06/1137827
- Countering ‘dark age of intolerance’ starts by tackling hate speech (UN News, 17 June 2023): https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/06/1137822
- Webinar on hate speech and ethnic contempt in Kenya (14 June 2023): https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/webinar-hate-speech-and-ethnic-contempt-kenya
- Unanimously adopting Resolution 2686 (2023), Security Council urges international community to prevent incitement, condemn hate speech, racism, acts of extremism (SC/15321, 14 June 2023): https://press.un.org/en/2023/sc15321.doc.htm
- Social Media 4 Peace project hosts a Twitter Space on countering hate speech (UNESCO, 12 June 2023): https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/social-media-4-peace-project-hosts-twitter-space-countering-hate-speech
- INTERVIEW: How hate speech triggered genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda (20 April 2023): https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/04/1135902
- Costa Rica is the global center of action against hate speech and discrimination through education (UNESCO, 27 March 2023): https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/costa-rica-global-center-action-against-hate-speech-and-discrimination-through-education
- Civil society measures hate speech and misinformation on social media in Kyrgyzstan (UNESCO, 22 February 2023): https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/civil-society-measures-hate-speech-and-misinformation-social-media-kyrgyzstan
- How community radio stations are countering hate speech: Reporter Sabyr Abdumonunov shared his experience and expertise on the crucial role of radio in promoting peace and preventing ongoing conflicts (UNESCO, 18 February 2023): https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/how-community-radio-stations-are-countering-hate-speech
- Combatting hate speech and mis/disinformation online (UNESCO, 15 February 2023): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oSy4F9abek
Guilherme Canela, Chief of the Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists at UNESCO, highlights the increasing threats to journalists and the rise of online disinformation. - Stepping Forward: Parliaments in the Fight Against Hate Speech (UNDP, 31 January 2023): https://www.undp.org/publications/dfs-stepping-forward-parliaments-fight-against-hate-speech
- Hate Speech: Turning the tide (UN News, 30 January 2023): https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/01/1132617
- Hate speech: Nations fight back (UN News, 29 January 2023): https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/01/1132612
- OHCHR – Freedom of speech is not freedom to spread racial hatred on social media: UN experts (6 January 2023): https://www.ohchr.org/en/statements/2023/01/freedom-speech-not-freedom-spread-racial-hatred-social-media-un-experts
- UNiting Against Hate: A new series from UN Podcasts (UN News, 7 December 2022): https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/12/1131367
- UNRWA Reiterates its Zero Tolerance Policy Toward Hate-Speech (24 June 2022): https://www.unrwa.org/newsroom/press-releases/unrwa-reiterates-its-zero-tolerance-policy-toward-hate-speech
- General Assembly holds Informal High-Level Event to Commemorate First International Day for Countering Hate Speech on 20 June (PI/2303, 20 June 2022): https://www.un.org/press/en/2022/pi2303.doc.htm
- Recommit to preventing hate speech, promoting respect for diversity, says Secretary-General, marking International Day (SG/SM/21328, 17 June 2022): https://www.un.org/press/en/2022/sgsm21328.doc.htm
- UN Video – Alice Nderitu, the Special Adviser of the UN Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide: Hate Speech | What are the Consequences? | What You Can Do to Prevent the Next Atrocity (17 June 2022): https://youtu.be/2Xvx_ZTWNd8
- Women journalists threatened with sexual violence, hate speech (UNFPA, 17 June 2022): https://www.unfpa.org/news/women-journalists-threatened-sexual-violence-hate-speech
- From Pilots toward Policies: Utilizing Online Data for Preventing Violent Extremism and Addressing Hate Speech (UNDP, 13 May 2022)
Policy Brief: https://bit.ly/3sCEbdS, Guidance Note: https://bit.ly/3MkvpcB - Signal Boost: Hate Speech and Social Media (In: DPPA Politically Speaking, 11 April 2022): https://dppa.medium.com/signal-boost-hate-speech-and-social-media-a54346a3d661
- The wildfire of hate speech / Op-ed by António Guterres (18 June 2019): https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/articles/2019-06-18/the-wildfire-of-hate-speech
- Freedom of expression vs incitement to hatred: OHCHR and the Rabat Plan of Action: https://www.ohchr.org/en/freedom-of-expression
- Hate speech and incitement to hatred or violence (OHCHR): https://www.ohchr.org/en/special-procedures/sr-religion-or-belief/hate-speech-and-incitement-hatred-or-violence
- Promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression: Note by the Secretary-General (A/74/486, 9 October 2019): https://www.ohchr.org/en/calls-for-input/reports/2019/report-online-hate-speech
The Secretary-General has the honour to transmit to the General Assembly the report prepared by the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, David Kaye, submitted in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 34/18. In the present report, the Special Rapporteur evaluates the human rights law that applies to the regulation of online “hate speech”. - General recommendation No. 35: Combating racist hate speech / Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
CERD/C/GC/35 (26 September 2013): https://undocs.org/CERD/C/GC/35
CERD/C/GC/35/Corr.1 (14 February 2014): https://undocs.org/CERD/C/GC/35/Corr.1 - Social Media 4 Peace: https://en.unesco.org/social-media-4-peace
The overall objective of this UNESCO project is to strengthen the resilience of societies to potentially harmful content spread online, in particular hate speech inciting violence while protecting freedom of expression and enhancing the promotion of peace through digital technologies, notably social media.- Social Media 4 Peace project marks first International Day against Hate Speech (29 June 20220: https://en.unesco.org/news/social-media-4-peace-project-marks-first-international-day-against-hate-speech
- Addressing hate speech through education: Multi-stakeholder Forum,
30 September and 1 October 2021 (UNESCO): https://events.unesco.org/event?id=4150969287&lang=1033 - Addressing hate speech through education: Global Education Ministers Conference, 26 October 2021 (UNESCO): https://en.unesco.org/news/addressing-hate-speech-through-education-global-education-ministers-conference
- UNESCO Publications on “Hate Speech”:
https://unesdoc.unesco.org/search/66e2dd84-b6fe-4bb5-a01b-0bfaf9c6196c - Refworld (UNHCR) search for information on “Hate Speech”: https://bit.ly/3tUAlhZ
Related information sources
- A Conceptual Analysis of the Overlaps and Differences between Hate Speech, Misinformation and Disinformation / Department of Peace Operations (DPO), Office of the Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide (OSAPG) – United Nations, New York, June 2024: https://tinyurl.com/ymmn7mdx
- Tune into UNESCO MIL Podcast “Think Critically, Click Wisely” (27 March 2024): https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/tune-unesco-mil-podcast-think-critically-click-wisely
In an effort to enhance people’s abilities to access, utilize and share reliable information in both physical and digital spaces, UNESCO has launched a podcast series “Think Critically, Click Wisely” on media and information literacy. - UNESCO hosts urgent discussion on combating surge of antisemitism through education (21 November 2023): https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/unesco-hosts-urgent-discussion-combating-surge-antisemitism-through-education
- UN report: social media feeds Holocaust denial and distortion (13 July 2022): https://www.un.org/en/delegate/un-report-social-media-feeds-holocaust-denial-and-distortion
- Addressing conspiracy theories through education: UNESCO guidance for teachers (6 July 2022): https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/addressing-conspiracy-theories-through-education-unesco-guidance-teachers
Last update: 20 November 2024
not an official document – for information only
https://unric.org/en/unric-library-backgrounder-combat-misinformation/
