Thursday, June 18, 2026

Media and information literacy: combating hate speech in the digital age

closeup photo of a large pinky red poppy

Today is United Nations International Day for Countering Hate Speech. UNESCO has organised a webinar today (18 June) at 13.30 CEST (12.30 BST) Countering Hate Speech in the Digital Age: Promoting Information Integrity and Resilient Societies. Short notice, but I only just found out about it. "The event will bring together experts to discuss current challenges and responses to hate speech in digital environments, including the role of Media and Information Literacy in fostering inclusive and resilient societies" 
Register at https://unesco-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_RmmOuj6OQ1O10SkETpVldw#/registration

However, if you can't make the webinar you can look at the new 16-page publication it is launching: 
Roksa-Zubcevic, A. (2026). Media and information literacy: combating hate speech in the digital age. UNESCO. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000398298? 
It sets out the issues and then looks at a MIL response and makes recommendations. 
Not its main purpose, but a useful bonus for this publication is a list at the end of some UNESCO MIL publications (e.g. the Prague Declaration, though unfortunately not the Alexandria Declaration) - UNESCO has moved them around over the years and they can be hard to track down.
Photo by Sheila Webber: Poppy, May 2026

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