Social Media 4 Peace: local lessons for global practices

Local lessons for countering online harmful content

Harmful content, particularly hate speech and disinformation, has become pervasive in the digital realm, profoundly impacting people's lives beyond virtual interactions. It seeps into the real world, affecting human rights, social cohesion, democracies, and peace. This has corroded public discourse and fragmented societies, with marginalized communities often bearing the consequences.

Addressing these challenges requires understanding the root causes and impact of harmful content. Governments, social media companies, civil society organizations, and international bodies must collaborate to develop strategies that protect fundamental rights online while safeguarding users.

This publication, developed under the UNESCO project “Social Media 4 Peace” funded by the European Union, overviews research conducted under the project focusing on Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kenya, and Indonesia. These include analyses of the regulatory frameworks governing harmful content online in these target countries, assessments of self-regulatory tools and content moderation policies of platforms, and the mapping of the local efforts by civil society.

The publication aims to inform global discussions on countering harmful content, especially in conflict-prone environments, by delving into the complexities of these countries' political, cultural, linguistic, and societal contexts. Its insights aim to serve as guideposts for stakeholders seeking to promote freedom of expression and a safer online environment.