UN Ethiopia organizes webinar series to counter hate speech and disinformation           

The UN Ethiopia Taskforce on Hate Speech and the UN Communications Group organized a webinar series on hate speech and disinformation in the observance of the 2024 International Day of Countering Hate Speech and Disinformation.

The webinar series aims to promote a safe, diverse, and democratic space for various expressions within the framework of human rights and freedom of expression. Additionally, it seeks to enhance multi-stakeholder engagement to prevent, mitigate, and respond to hate speech and disinformation in Ethiopia.

The four two-hour sessions of the webinar series held for two weeks brought together a wide array of stakeholders, including representatives from the UN, civil society organizations, human rights-based organizations, media, social media influencers, religious institutions, youth groups, academia and tech companies.

The webinar series focused on legal and conceptual framework for hate speech; artificial intelligence; online harassment and technology-facilitated gender-based violence; and media literacy. 

In his opening statement, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator a.i. Dr. Aboubacar Kampo called for a holistic approach to addressing and counter hate speech and disinformation that have been amplified by new communication technologies.

“All individuals and organizations—including governments, the private sector, media, internet corporations, faith leaders, educators, youth, and civil society—have a moral duty to speak out firmly against hate speech and play a crucial role in countering this scourge,” Dr. Kampo said. 

A two-week social media campaign was also conducted along with the webinar series. 

UN Ethiopia will also hold a two-day media training focusing on hate and disinformation in July 2024.

Hate speech denies the values of tolerance, inclusion, and diversity, undermining the very essence of human rights norms and principles. It exposes those targeted to discrimination, abuse, violence, and social and economic exclusion.

The United Nations has a long-standing commitment to mobilizing against hatred, defending human rights, and upholding the rule of law. In 2019, the United Nations introduced the UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech, providing a comprehensive framework to address both the causes and impacts of this menace. 

On 24 June 2025, the UN Secretary-General launched the United Nations Global Principles for Information Integrity to guide Member States, digital platforms, and other stakeholders in creating a safer and more inclusive digital space while protecting the rights to freedom of opinion, expression, and access to information.

In Ethiopia, the rising tide of hate speech has necessitated the establishment of a UN Taskforce on Countering Hate Speech that brings together the coordinated efforts and partnerships of various actors, including the UN, governmental bodies, civil society organizations, and the private sector.

The taskforce developed a UNCT strategy and plan of action on hate speech to address and counter hate speech as well as prevent incitement to violence.

The UN Ethiopia through the taskforce has organized trainings to build the capacities of Ethiopian government institutions, civil society organizations, media and academia in understanding, monitoring and reporting as well as addressing hate speech and incitement to violence within their own sector and communities.

The taskforce also creates platforms for different stakeholders to explore different methods and actions needed to counter hate speech and disinformation in Ethiopia. It also facilitates information exchange on best practices that have been applied and achieved in countering hate speech and disinformation.