OIC to hold forum on media role in combating hate speech

RIYADH: The OIC Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) will hold its 4th international seminar on “The Role of Media in Combating Hate Speech” at the Hotel La Tour Hassan Palace, Rabat, Morocco, Oct. 23-24.
“The IPHRC is mandated to address issues concerning Islamophobia and hate speech which are serious violations of human rights and an affront to human dignity,” Maha Akeel, the director of the OIC information department, told Arab News on Saturday.
Akeel added that at present “we are witnessing an increase in anti-Muslim rhetoric and violent acts in Europe and the US.”
She added that the seminar is “part of the OIC’s and IPHRC’s efforts to confront this phenomenon and contribute to mitigating the negative effect it has on society, while promoting tolerance, understanding and multiculturalism.”
“And of course, the media plays a big role in that so this seminar will focus on that,” Akeel said.
The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported that the symposium will focus on analyzing the role of the media and professionals in promoting freedom of expression in a responsible manner.
The seminar will be attended by OIC members and observer states, including their national human rights institutions, experts from different relevant international and regional organizations, senior officials of the UN, Moroccan state ministries and media representatives.
KSA calls UN for action against hateful media
During the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly, Saudi UN official Yasser Al-Dabaan urged the UN to seek accuracy, ensure credibility, enforce precision and rely on official news platforms to obtain the information used in its reports and statements.
“The UN Department of Public Information must not rely on media that encourages hate speech, promotes extremism, violence and destruction, threatens countries’ security and stability, and spreads falsified reports,” Al-Dabaan said in a meeting of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee).
“Saudi Arabia has launched many communication initiatives through several ministries, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Communication and Media Center, which communicates with the world in 18 languages, and the Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology,” he added.
Al-Dabaan also highlighted that Saudi Arabia, through its traditional and new media, is working hard on instilling the values of moderation, justice and transparency, in addition to combating extremism and its ideology, promoting peaceful dialogue and increasing women’s contribution to the media industry.
“Saudi Arabia reaffirms its support for the UN’s efforts and the undersecretary-general for global communications, as well as its transparent cooperation with all UN agencies, IGOs and INGOs in communicating and providing information,” Al-Dabaan concluded.