Clergies urge social media users to promote peace, shun hate speech
Jessica Onyegbula
Abuja, Match 12, 2020 (NAN) Religious Scholars on Thursday in Abuja urged social media bloggers to use their various platforms positively to promote peaceful coexistence and avoid hate speech as well as other malicious posts.
The scholars spoke at a one-day Inter-religious dialogue with social media influencers and bloggers, on “Social media as a space for dialogue and campaign against the use of hate speech on social media platforms in Nigeria”.
Director, Research Training, Islamic Education Trust, Nuruddeen Lemu, defined hate speech as any kind of communication in speech, writing, behaviour that attacks, uses pejorative or discriminatory language,
especially with reference to a person or a group on the basis of who they are, based on their religion, ethnicity, nationality, race, colour, descent, gender or other identity.
Lemu noted that hate speech when left unaddressed, could lead to violence or hate crimes against marginalised groups, stressing that hate speech was capable of destroying a country.
He further said that social media could be used positively, especially to enhance religious harmony and peaceful coexistence.
Lemu added that religious leaders were instrumental in combating hate speech and discrimination, particularly since these actions undermine the values of religious diversity and pluralism.
According to him, religion has sometimes been misused to justify hostility and incitement to violence.
”It is vital that religious leaders from all faiths show leadership and set a strong example for their followers,” he said..
Dr Simon Dolly, Director General, Inter-Religious Peace Initiative, advocated for workshops on conflict sensitive journalism in order to help journalists develop the ethical capacities to identify sources of conflict, and to report news fairly and accurately.
Dolly, however, noted the impossibility of caging social media users rather government could raise awareness through community-held training or educating friends and family on the dangers of discrimination and intolerance
According to him, Freedom of expression is protected under international law, with clear rights outlined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
‘”However, the international community has also agreed to certain limitations – such as on speech which advocates “national, racial or religious hatred” and “constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence.”
”Therefore, it is extremely important for governments to establish sound legal frameworks on hate speech, which hold perpetrators accountable, uphold human dignity, protect marginalised groups, while still balancing the right to freedom of expression,” he added.
Dolly, therefore, added that reporting social media posts, which spread rumours or misinformation, would help in curbing hate speech.
He also added that boosting positive messages of peace and tolerance on social media and online platforms would help in the control of hate speech.(NAN)
JESY/OMO/AFA
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Edited by Martins Odeh/Felix Ajide
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