Journalists Without Borders, in cooperation with Human Restart, organized a joint event on the occasion of the International Day for Countering Hate Speech in the city of Essen, Germany. The event saw wide participation from representatives of civil society organizations, journalists, and human rights activists, in addition to the presence of several local and international media outlets.
The event was held under the slogan: “Media for Peace… No to Hate”, aiming to highlight the pivotal role that media can play in confronting hate speech—especially in light of the rise of such rhetoric in recent years and the direct threat it poses to social peace and the values of coexistence.
The program opened with a speech by Dr. Farhad Ali, president of both organizations, in which he emphasized the importance of combating all forms of hate speech, particularly those that emanate from media platforms that are supposed to uphold truth and journalistic integrity, rather than serve as tools for incitement and hostility.
Dr. Ali stated: “Words can become a deadly weapon if used to spread hatred and discrimination, but they can also be a powerful tool for promoting peace and tolerance when employed with responsibility and awareness.”
His speech was followed by a series of interventions from prominent journalists and human rights defenders, who shed light on the importance of upholding professional and ethical standards in media work. They affirmed that free journalism does not mean chaos or incitement, but rather responsible journalism that upholds human dignity and contributes to building just and tolerant societies.
The program also included an exhibition of photos and journalistic articles, showcasing real-life examples of news and media reports that contained clear manifestations of hate speech—whether based on religion, ethnicity, or nationality. The exhibition enabled visitors to understand how some media outlets employ discriminatory or inciting content, through accurate documentation of cases from various countries.
Additionally, the event featured the preparation and distribution of awareness brochures in three languages: Arabic, German, and English. These brochures covered key topics including:
• An introduction to the International Day for Countering Hate Speech, as declared by the United Nations on June 18, 2025.
• The different types of hate speech: verbal, visual, symbolic, digital, and institutional.
• Real-world media examples illustrating how hate can seep into journalistic content.
• Methods of countering hate speech through awareness campaigns, media training programs, and the activation of monitoring and accountability mechanisms.
The event garnered notable attention from the media, with local and international television and radio stations covering the occasion and highlighting its main themes. This helped convey the initiative’s messages to a wider audience and reinforced the ongoing efforts to confront hate speech and promote a culture of peace and tolerance.
