Mechanisms in combating Hate speech online
The event was organized by Center for Intercultural Dialogue and the National committee for No Hate speech online campaign.
Attended by over 80 guests, online activists, representatives of institutions and NGOs, interesting discussions were developed during the conference and after it, about the different levels of demonstrating hate speech, and the way that is influencing the society and the youngsters. The conference was very important to the campaign development in Macedonia, since it mobilized and informed a lot of different stakeholders to get involved in the campaign, and in different activities on National level. The discussion was moderated by Mr. Stefan Aleksic, Internet activist and representative of Youth Education Forum (MOF). At the event despite the panel discussion participants had the opportunity to get acquainted with the results of the international seminar 'LOG In for Human Rights' that was taking place these days in Mavrovo, the visitors had the opportunity to meet and talk to 20 young people coming from all over Europe.
The conference was streamed live online so all the interested parties could attend it online as well.
“Center for Intercultural Dialogue is organization that is actively involved in the field of Human Rights and in the activities for prevention of discrimination and hate speech online. Since 2012, CID is actively involved in realization of activities and processes linked to the hate speech online within the NO Hate Speech Movement, and that is the reason to be the hosts and initiators of the panel discussion” said Matej Manevski, president of Center for Intercultural Dialogue.
Ms Zorica Stamenskovska representative from the Agency of Youth and sports in her introduction, explained the role of the Agency, as a National coordinator of the campaign, whose main involvement is the planning and following the process of the activities in the campaign. “This is one of the first bigger activities from the national campaign, and soon we will have a training for facilitators and multipliers on this topic for Human Rights and Hate speech online, as well as other activities including other organizations and institutions in the campaign.” In the end of her speech she invitd all the present guests from organization, institutions or any youth worker, volunteer that is present to join in the campaign and its activities.
Ms Zorica Stamenskovska representative from the Agency of Youth and sports in her introduction, explained the role of the Agency, as a National coordinator of the campaign, whose main involvement is the planning and following the process of the activities in the campaign. “This is one of the first bigger activities from the national campaign, and soon we will have a training for facilitators and multipliers on this topic for Human Rights and Hate speech online, as well as other activities including other organizations and institutions in the campaign.” In the end of her speech she invitd all the present guests from organization, institutions or any youth worker, volunteer that is present to join in the campaign and its activities.
Milosh Ristovski , member of the National Comity of the campaign for no hate speech online, gave further information about the goals of the campaign and the activities that the National Committee and the members have realized in the last period and the ones that are being implemented at the moment. “ Hate speech online is present in every country, but the content and the discrimination is different for every country individually, that’s why, its necessary for this global campaign, to be implemented differently in every country, and we have sub-campaigns that are part of this one global, so we can be sure of great local impact”.
Ludo Kaizer an expert on Social Media from the Netherlands and known Internet activist, said: "There is a very fine line between “trolling" salty jokes and hate speech. The case comes down to educating people and providing concrete tools how to avoid its spread. "
Mr. Dusko Minovski from the Commission for Protection against Discrimination, explain the procedures and ways of the protection of citizens from discrimination and where they can turn in breach of their human rights: "All we wanted to hear, comment, fill reports after the event and go home. But if the whole discussion has made some change in us - we're vain to spend time. Our committee has so far received more than 150 reports of violations of human rights and the way and time we react , is decided after we receive the report”
Macedonian internet consultant Darko Buldioski: "We always fight Hate speech after already widespread. The Internet information flow is very fast, so share the news with greater malpractice and less attention - and a lot of people are not aware when shared hate speech. The social networks are not the ones that spread violence - but the way people use them. Social media is a mirror of the society, providing new and modern ways of communication and social networks are constantly advancing in adapting the rules of use.”
Ludo Kaizer an expert on Social Media from the Netherlands and known Internet activist, said: "There is a very fine line between “trolling" salty jokes and hate speech. The case comes down to educating people and providing concrete tools how to avoid its spread. "
Mr. Dusko Minovski from the Commission for Protection against Discrimination, explain the procedures and ways of the protection of citizens from discrimination and where they can turn in breach of their human rights: "All we wanted to hear, comment, fill reports after the event and go home. But if the whole discussion has made some change in us - we're vain to spend time. Our committee has so far received more than 150 reports of violations of human rights and the way and time we react , is decided after we receive the report”
Macedonian internet consultant Darko Buldioski: "We always fight Hate speech after already widespread. The Internet information flow is very fast, so share the news with greater malpractice and less attention - and a lot of people are not aware when shared hate speech. The social networks are not the ones that spread violence - but the way people use them. Social media is a mirror of the society, providing new and modern ways of communication and social networks are constantly advancing in adapting the rules of use.”