(OPINION) The United Nations (UN) published a tweet to help people become more aware of the consequences associated with hate speech online. The organization linked their guide to “how to deal with hate speech” online which includes reporting it to government authorities.
The guide is broken down into eight steps: pause, fact-check, react, challenge, support, report, educate, and commit. Some of the sections give standard advice on how to verify information provided to you online.
Most of the guide’s approach could be summarized as verifying sources of information, being respectful online, and not reacting quickly to information you come across that may be targeting people. It notably emphasizes that it is up to all individuals to bring attention to any content that could be construed as “hate speech.”
Hate speech can take many different forms.
But no matter what it looks like, hate speech has real consequences.
Learn how you can take action and say #NoToHate: https://t.co/7KugkN3EKJ pic.twitter.com/XfmeSnPOno
— United Nations (@UN) June 25, 2023
According to the United Nations website, the organization defines hate speech as “offensive discourse targeting a group or an individual based on inherent characteristics (such as race, religion or gender) and that may threaten social peace.”
The report section says that you should report hate speech on the “online platforms and communities” that have “rules to keep user discussions respectful.”
It also tells readers to “[r]ead social media platform guidelines and tips to protect users from harassment and hate speech.” Then it makes a distinction and brings in government authority.
“For more serious cases – which may constitute incitement to violence, harassment and/or threats prohibited by law – notify organizations fighting hate speech and/or file a complaint with police,” it continues.
The report section states that “[s]ome countries have online tools to make reporting hate speech easier.”
In the “serious cases” portion, the speech that is spoken about specifically “constitute[s] incitement to violence, harassment, and/or threats.” (READ MORE)
