Author and futurist Newton Lee says, “There is a fine line between free speech and hate speech. Free speech encourages debate whereas hate speech incites violence.”
One of the many calamitous characteristics of our times is that heads of state resort to hate speeches during elections by targeting minorities and marginalized communities to appease their vote-banks, using divisive and pejorative language. Our country is also reeling under the onslaught of hate speech and has reached a crescendo in the current Lok Sabha elections.
With the bureaucracy, the media, law enforcement, and central agencies surrendering their autonomy to the political class, it is a momentous task to counter and eradicate hate speech from public discourse and the media. Some of the major strategies for countering hate speech include education, community engagement, building counter-narratives, and legal interventions. Besides the government, civil society organizations, grassroots movements, mainstream, and social media – all play an important role in combating hate speech and promoting tolerance and inclusivity.
Global approach
The UN Hate Speech Strategy and Action Plan, 2019, defined hate speech as “any kind of communication, verbal, written or behavioral, that is hostile or uses derogatory or discriminatory language against any person or group of people based on who they are, or, in other words, based on their religion, ethnic origin, nationality, race, skin color, social origin, gender, and other identity factors.”
In July 2021, the UN General Assembly brought attention to the worldwide escalation of hate speech and approved a resolution focused on “advancing inter-religious and intercultural dialogue and tolerance in combating hate speech”.
The resolution acknowledged the imperative to combat discrimination, xenophobia, and hate speech, urging all pertinent parties, including countries to intensify their efforts to tackle this issue under international human rights law.
Furthermore, the resolution designated 18 June as the International Day for Countering Hate Speech, expanding on the UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech introduced on 18 June 2019.
Education
The basic element of any strategy to address hate speech is prevention. Educating and raising awareness about human rights, tolerance, and understanding of different cultures and religions is crucial for this purpose.
When a country ratifies an international human rights covenant (that prohibits hate speech) or has penal laws that make hate speech a punishable offense, it must ensure that the entire population is aware of these rights and laws. Education plays a key role in achieving this objective by promoting values, beliefs, and attitudes that encourage children to embrace diversity.
The values instilled in students during childhood are likely to significantly influence their response to hate speech as adults.
Engagement
Community engagement can effectively combat hate speech by developing mutual understanding, facilitating dialogue, and promoting unity. By bringing together people from diverse backgrounds, people can gain insight into each other’s experiences, viewpoints, and concerns. This can aid in dispelling stereotypes and diminishing the fear and ignorance that often underlie hate speech.
Interacting with one another can encourage empathy and respect among community members. When people establish personal connections and share experiences, they are more likely to treat each other with compassion and empathy, thereby reducing the acceptance of hate speech within the community.
Community engagement should have educational campaigns and workshops that emphasize the promotion of tolerance and respect. When communities unite against discrimination and hate, individuals facing such attacks feel less isolated and more empowered to voice their concerns. Engaged communities can collaborate with local authorities and organizations by developing reporting mechanisms and taking legal measures to tackle hate speech.
Counter Narrative
Building counter-narratives to counter hate speech involves crafting alternative messages and stories that challenge and undermine the narratives used by those promoting hate. This can be done by sharing stories that highlight the positive contributions of the persecuted groups and amplifying the voices of individuals and communities directly affected by hate speech. It would allow them to share their experiences and perspectives to humanize the impact of discrimination and challenge negative stereotypes.
Other ways would include countering misinformation and stereotypes with accurate information and contextual facts and providing evidence-based narratives that debunk myths and misconceptions perpetuated by hate speech. Emotional storytelling can help connect with audiences on a personal level. Engaging with influencers, community leaders, and stakeholders who can reach broader audiences is important.
Utilizing creative content such as videos, art, music, and storytelling and posting them across social media platforms helps counter negative narratives effectively. There must be provision of spaces for discussions that challenge prejudices and promote respectful debate. Advocacy efforts aimed at addressing systemic issues that contribute to hate speech must be supported. Instances of hate speech should be actively monitored and responded to while promoting constructive alternatives. Countering hate speech promptly can prevent its normalization and spread.
Legal intervention
The most effective way to counter hate speech is to engage in legal activism. In the case of India, there are many sections under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) that can be used for prosecuting those accused of hate speech. For example – Sections 153A and 153B (to punish acts that cause enmity and hatred between groups), Section 295A (punishing acts which deliberately or with malicious intention outrage the religious feelings), Sections 505(1) and 505(2) (makes content that may cause ill will or hatred between different groups an offense), Section 8 of the Representation of People’s Act (RPA) 1951 (prevents a person convicted of the illegal use of the freedom of speech from contesting an election.
The problem, however, in our country is the lack of courage and honesty in the law enforcement agencies to take on those in power who are often guilty of hate speech. Although the Supreme Court of India, in no uncertain terms has declared, “We make it clear that any hesitation to act in accordance with this direction will be viewed as contempt of this court and appropriate action will be taken against the erring officers,” there has been very little conviction and arrests of hate-spewing high-profile politicians.
Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
The Holy Quran (41:34) exhorts – “Repel (evil) with that which is good, and you will see that he, between whom and you there was enmity, shall become as if he were a bosom friend (of yours).” Among all the solutions to counter hate speech, the Quranic method will deliver the best and most guaranteed results.