Updated 21 June 2024
As part of events marking the 3rd International Day for Countering Hate Speech on June 18th, a new report was released examining hate speech, misinformation and disinformation, particularly in conflict-affected and high-risk areas. The report found that the tendency to group these distinct concepts together without taking into account their differences can make it difficult to address them more effectively.
Commissioned by the United Nations Department of Peace Operations (DPO) and the Office of the Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide (OSAPG), and written by Dr. Claire Wardle from Brown University’s School of Public Health, A Conceptual Analysis of the Overlaps and Differences between Hate Speech and Mis- and Disinformation aims to support both those working on the issues, as well as the general public to navigate hate speech, disinformation and misinformation in complex environments , by helping to clarify what these concepts mean, what they look like, and how best to respond.
A growing challenge
Hate speech, misinformation and disinformation are a growing challenge. In peacekeeping, they present a danger both to peacekeepers and the communities they serve. In 2023, 58 percent of UN peacekeepers who were surveyed said mis- and disinformation severely or critically impacted the work of their mission. Indeed, false or manipulated information can weaken support for peacekeeping missions, hamper their ability to restore peace, and threaten the safety and security of UN personnel. They can also fuel divisions in host countries, eroding support for peace processes and jeopardizing the safety of civilians.
Key report findings
The report found that although misinformation, disinformation and hate speech share similarities – such as the tactics used to create, disseminate, and amplify them - understanding where they differ is critical to effectively addressing them. This includes significant differences in their treatment under international law, how they use identity to target individuals or groups, their consideration by online platforms as well as the types of harm they cause.
Blurring these distinctions, the report found, makes it more difficult to develop appropriate prevention strategies, design responses, and hold perpetrators accountable. For example, disinformation that is being spread strategically and intentionally may require political engagement, whereas more general rumours that may constitute misinformation may be effectively countered through communications or outreach campaigns. In the case of hate speech, which targets groups based on identity, it can have tremendous impacts, presenting real and immediate concerns for victims and groups targeted. This includes as a potential trigger of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity*. These threats need concerted and tailored responses.
Tackling the challenges
Addressing harmful information is a priority for the United Nations. In 2019, building on initiatives such as the Rabat Plan of Action and in response to alarming hate speech trends around the world, Secretary-General António Guterres launched the United Nations Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech, led by OSAPG to provide strategic guidance for the UN system to address hate speech at national and global levels.
In DPO, a dedicated multidisciplinary team was formed in 2023 within the Division for Policy, Evaluation and Training (DPET), working closely with the Strategic Communications Section (SCS) to support peacekeeping missions with guidance and training on monitoring, analysis, response, and evaluation as well as practical resources to strengthen information integrity.
To help practitioners in peace operations, the new report provides a practical guide to help identify whether an example of speech could be considered hate speech, misinformation or disinformation. This report will lead to the preparation of a practical resource for practitioners in the field, better empowering them to develop response strategies.
Launch event
With support from the Permanent Missions of Canada and Uruguay, an event on 19 June launching the report featured keynote remarks by the Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, Alice Wairimu Nderitu, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Head of the peacekeeping mission in the country, Bintou Keita, the Director of DPO’s Policy, Evaluation and Training Division, David Haeri, and the report author, Claire Wardle.
You can read the full paper here.
*UN Framework of Analysis for Atrocity Crimes.
About the Author
Claire Wardle is co-founder and co-director of the Information Futures Lab, and Professor of the Practice of Health Services, Policy and Practice at the Brown School of Public Health. She is considered a leader in the field of misinformation, verification and user generated content, co-authoring the foundational report, Information Disorder: An interdisciplinary Framework for Research and Policy for the Council of Europe.