media and conflict in myanmar: opportunities for media to advance peace
6. Preventing Online Hate Speech
Despite the relatively low levels of Internet penetration in Myanmar, respondents expressed
concern not only with the speed at which hate speech is disseminated online but also the
virulence of some of the inflammatory messages. Also of concern was the way in which online
narratives of hate were threatening to trump news coverage by mainstream media, especially
regarding intercommunal conflict. Through an initial analysis of online content, potentially
through natural language processing, inflammatory terms appearing on Facebook and other
online media can be identified and monitored. Content analysis methods and systems can
then be integrated into training programs for civil society, media, and government officials in
order for these groups to better understand, and more effectively respond to, online content
that could incite violence.
Requirements
onsensus among a wide range of stakeholders on what constitutes inflammatory content; lexicon of
C
terms that might incite violence published and widely distributed
utomated social media monitoring to analyze inflammatory content and its potential effects on
A
mainstream media and the public
raining program established for bloggers, citizen journalists, mainstream media professionals, governT
ment officials, and civil society watchdogs to understand dangers of hate speech, how to monitor such
content, and how to use self-regulatory tools to prevent the spread of such speech online
arly online warning systems developed in advance of contentious events, such as a national census and
E
electoral periods
ontent analysis data and self-regulatory tools related to hate speech integrated into interfaith dialogues
C
and peacebuilding workshops
Interfaith Facebook campaigns initiated to promote tolerance and mutual respect
ivic-state dialogue on Internet regulation that limits inflammatory content while protecting freedom of
C
speech
Social media providers engaged to develop policies for shutting down offensive user accounts and pages
Desired outcomes
Knowledge
nderstanding among citizens about the dangers of hate speech and the risks of obtaining information
U
through social media
eightened awareness among journalists for using social media as a credible source in reporting on
H
conflict
nderstanding among government officials about what constitutes hate speech and how to react to it
U
appropriately
Attitude
Citizen acceptance of Myanmar as a multifaith country
Tolerance and mutual respect between different faiths
Behavior
USIP.ORG
Hate speech monitored, not tolerated, and ultimately shut down
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