SRFOE launches dialogues on prevention of discriminatory speech in the media

June 12, 2024

Washington D.C. - The Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) initiated dialogues and consultations on challenges and opportunities in the promotion of equality and the fight against discrimination in the journalistic and media environment. The first meeting took place on May 27 in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, and brought together activists, non-governmental organizations, journalists, media outlets, associations and traditional media networks to address the importance of having a perspective that respects human rights in news reporting, propose good practices and agree on joint actions. Within this framework, the Office of the Rapporteur announced the launching of the Program on Freedom of Expression and the Fight against Discrimination.

The visit was led by the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression, Pedro Vaca Villarreal, in partnership with the Presidential Commission for Peace and Human Rights (COPADEH) of the Government of Guatemala and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Guatemala. It was also accompanied by the Swedish Embassy in Guatemala.

In a context in which citizens demand excellence in journalism and the search for quality content standards, significant challenges persist in the integration of editorial practices that promote equality and non-discrimination, especially towards historically marginalized groups. The inclusion of these voices in the public debate is still incipient, which perpetuates the invisibility of their realities and hinders the full exercise of the right to freedom of expression. Through its regional monitoring, the Rapporteurship has observed the deterioration of public debate, through the spread of misinformation and discourse with the potential to activate risks to groups of people and incitement to violence against them, as well as the censorship of certain issues related to the rights of women, LGBTI people, indigenous peoples, Afro-descendants, among others.

During the day of dialogue and consultation in Guatemala, participants reflected on the dynamics of exclusion and discrimination in journalism and the media, and how this can have consequences in the increase of physical and verbal violence against historically discriminated groups. The day was divided into three discussion tables. The first focused on generating a diagnosis of the main questions raised by various groups against the media on discrimination, and on making demands to the sector on concrete actions for the inclusion of voices and the promotion of pluralism of information. The second dealt with journalistic initiatives with a rights-based approach to explore challenges and good practices in this area. The third roundtable brought the experience of traditional media groups from a self-critical perspective, and highlighted ongoing efforts to combat discriminatory discourse.

On the other hand, the adverse conditions facing journalism in the region were discussed, including violence, harassment, judicial harassment, surveillance, and sustainability challenges. In particular, the additional risks faced by women journalists due to gender-based violence on the Internet were highlighted.

Good practices and recommendations were also identified to build a strategy to prevent discriminatory discourse from the media, such as the activation of spaces for exchange with human rights organizations; the adoption of zero tolerance policies against discrimination; human rights training programs; monitoring and evaluation of self-regulation frameworks; creation of collaborative cross-border alliances; and the inclusion of civil society voices in the editorial discussion process when they consider that it contributes to the excellence of the journalistic profession.

In the framework of this event, the Office of the Special Rapporteur launched the Program on Freedom of Expression and the Fight against Discrimination. Its purpose is to provide preventive tools to those who are part of the media to strengthen, within the framework of editorial autonomy, their policies, decisions and information practices, and to promote awareness of the role of journalism in guaranteeing the human rights of historically marginalized groups. In the next phases, the program intends to energize collaboration and take advantage of shared experiences to contribute positively to journalistic practices.

To achieve these objectives, this Office will continue to promote conversations with various sectors and actors, seeking to encourage strategies for coordination and joint work in the fight against discrimination and exclusion. It will also reflect on the ways in which States can support these practices through public policies and other promotional measures.

The Office of the Special Rapporteur thanks COPADEH, OHCHR, the Swedish Embassy in Guatemala, and all civil society participants for their contributions, and calls on OAS Member States to renew their commitment to the eradication of hate speech and to engage in preventive mechanisms and multi-stakeholder dialogue on the issue.

The Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression is an office created by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) in order to stimulate the hemispheric defense of the right to freedom of thought and expression, considering its fundamental role in the consolidation and development of the democratic system.

No. R136/24

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