First Session: Challenges of Hate Speech in Arab Media and Ways to Overcome Them

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• Date: 11:30 AM - 01:00 PM
• Location : Amman - Jordan

The first session, titled "Challenges of Hate Speech in Arab Media and Ways to Overcome Them," was moderated by Lebanese journalist Tony Khalifa, who remarked that hate in the media has escalated to the point of attacking religious sanctities. He added that social media has played a role in amplifying hate speech, spreading it to press and television. Jordanian journalist Ibrahim Gharaibeh pointed out that hate speech has led to numerous global crises and disasters, with the media bearing part of the responsibility for its proliferation.

Hamad Al-Kaabi, Editor-in-Chief of Aletihad newspaper in the UAE, emphasized that the media should be part of the solution in combating hate speech, as it holds the tools to shape and direct content. He noted that hate speech has incited terrorist acts, as many people follow such rhetoric on social media without proper awareness. He stressed the need for legislation to combat hate speech, highlighting the UAE's pioneering Anti-Discrimination Law, which has curbed online bullying and prevented the use of derogatory terms against any groups.

Lebanese journalist Yolande Khoury criticized the practice of selecting individuals who propagate hate speech to appear in the media, often to boost viewership at the expense of people's lives and social stability. She called for greater self-regulation within media outlets. Emad El-Din Hussein, Editor-in-Chief of Egypt's Al-Shorouk newspaper, added that one of the major challenges in addressing hate speech is the lack of a clear definition and its varying levels. He urged the Muslim Council of Elders to contribute to training media professionals to tackle hate speech effectively.