The Human Rights Commission opens the IWJF workshop on hate speech monitoring techniques

Sulaymaniyah: iwjf

The Iraqi Women Journalists Forum, in cooperation with the German Embassy in Iraq , organized a third training workshop on September 26-28, 2020 for women & men journalists and media professionals on (techniques for monitoring hate speech in the media and its impact on discrimination on the basis of gender and societal peace).

The workshop was opened by a member of the Human Rights Commission, Dr. Basma Muhammad, explaining the importance of the workshop in combating extremist ideology and that the real problem begins at home and other institutions, especially the media, because sometimes media institutions are a tool to promote hate speech. Pointing out the importance of cooperation in the process of curbing this phenomenon that threatens societal peace.

The Head of the IWJF, Dr. Nibras Almamory, explained to the participants what is included in the project of reducing hate speech in the media in cooperation with the German embassy and the importance of awareness-raising and education about the damages resulting from it, especially on women and societal peace. Grateful to OHCHR and the NGO Department for their participation and moral support.

The workshop was attended by both trainers Ann Salah and Tahseen Al-Zarkani, where the training included introducing the concept of hate speech, its types, and the position of international and local law on inflammatory speech.

The workshop also included, on the second day, how the media can have a role in spreading or limiting hate speech, and how to monitor, evaluate and differentiate between freedom of expression and promoting hate speech.

The last day of the workshop was concluded by explaining the forms of media discrimination and its impact on women and the role of advocacy campaigns in reducing discrimination and correcting common mistakes, especially with regard to gender and community peace, by video clips reviewed by the coordinator of the Sawtuha Network of women human rights defenders in Sulaymaniyah, Mrs.Tania Kamal.