Hate speech is defined as speech that discriminates others due to their race, skin-color, sex or sexual orientation. At least that is how Johannes Baldauf, from the Amadeu Antonio Foundation describes it. He was one of many specialists who gathered to talk about the increasing phenomena at the symposium “Hate Speech- Hate on the Internet” organized by AJS-NRW, LVR, two german instituts that deal with media and their impact on children, and the Media Authority of North Rhine- Westphalia (LfM) on the first of July.

But how can one defend and prevent hate speech? And how should one who is confronted with it react to it? – Just a few of the questions discussed at the symposium which we, also joined. We were able to present the project to the highly interested audience by talking about methods of teaching children and youngsters how to handle cyber bulling or other forms of hate speech on the world wide web. Since the audience consisted out of a lot of teachers and social workers they followed our presentation with great interest and also asked for further information afterwards.

We were not only able to promote the project but also to clarify the importance of “building respect on the internet by combating hate speech”. Standing up, showing courage and defending others from hate speech is something we all need to learn because virtual reality can become actuality really fast.

With the slogan “Silence hate – Changing words changes the world” and the hashtag #silencehate, the European campaign against online hate speech will take-off on 21^st March, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Even though there is no systematic monitoring of this phenomenon at European level, almost all national and international experts and scholars agree that social media, websites and social networks have become fertile grounds for spreading xenophobia, Islamophobia, anti-Semitic and racist discourses.

The goal of this web-based campaign is to draw attention to the need to prevent diffusion of hatred on the Internet and promote a better use of the web: a common effort which should involve newspapers, web users and social network managers, beginning from such fundamental elements as freedom and participation which characterize the web.

The ‘Silence hate’ initiative is promoted in four European countries (Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany and Italy) in the framework of the European project “BRICkS” – Building Respect on the Internet by Combating hate Speech”, aimed at combating and preventing racism and discrimination on the Internet. The launch of the ‘Silence hate’ campaign will also include the presentation of the studies on hate speech, journalism and migration conducted in the four countries.

During the refugee crisis Facebook has been very helpful, these past few weeks and months, in coordinating donations, finding helpers or reuniting people. At the same time, the platform has become a tool to spread hate, xenophobia and rage. Everything from insults to death threats was and can be found there and the term hate speech is known to practically everyone. The comment section is avoided by everyone who observes this development with caution and worry, or turned off by editorial staff entirely. Even German politicians have acknowledged the extent of the matter and the changes that are happening. Continue reading »