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Media and digital spaces provide young people with boundless opportunities for not only accessing and sharing information, but also a platform to promote exchanges and intercultural dialogue that further common values, human rights, tolerance, and peace. The global policies put in place to manage the COVID-19 crisis, including those that restrict movement, have resulted in more time spent online by young people. This has increasingly exacerbated the spread of hate speech, cyber bullying, racism, and incitement to violence during the pandemic.

In response, UNESCO in partnership with (UNOCT) organized an expert webinar on 02 June 2020 to address and counter exploitation of the COVID-19 pandemic using Media and ICTs in the Eastern Africa region. The webinar brought together 169 participants comprising of researchers, media experts, development practitioners, youth leaders, academics, and regional donor community from the (UNAOC), the (UNODC), the (UNDP), Africa Union, , , National Commissions, line government ministries, ,  Academia, and Civil Society Organizations.

The webinar discussed issues, challenges, and good practices in supporting and involving young people to counter and prevent online hate speech, cyber bullying, racism, and violent extremism, among others, using media and ICTs in the context of Covid-19 pandemic in Eastern Africa region. It also identified effective measures that can be adopted to prevent and combat online hate speech, cyberbullying, racism, promote peace building and sustainable development, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

In her opening remarks, Ms. Ann Therese Ndong-Jatta, Director of the UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa stated that the role of youth in peace building and preventing violent extremism is vital for our world today. Media and information literacy education is key, but we need to support youth initiatives & youth led organizations: their future, our world.

Ms. Ndong-Jatta further reiterated the recent call by UN Secretary General, António Guterres to all Governments and stakeholders, to be vigilant in addressing and countering hate speech, and putting in place concerted measures and global action against Coronavirus-fueled hate speech. 

Dr. Jehangir Khan, the Director of the (UNCCT) noted that the webinar and similar projects will lay groundwork to provide youth in the region with the platform, skills, opportunities and networks needed to play a central role in addressing and countering exploitation of the pandemic by violent extremist and terrorist groups.

Ms. Cecilia Barbieri, Chief of Section of at UNESCO stated that promotion of values of solidarity and human rights can be done by ensuring that young people, as well as their educators and parents, acquire core competencies of digital citizenship that will help them become more resilient to disinformation.

Dr. Guy Berger, Director of Strategy and Policy for Communication and Information Sector at UNESCO stated that the global pandemic is a watershed moment which should be in favour of solidarity and human rights.  

Mr. Berger further said that there is a fine line between freedom of expression and hate speech, but by expounding on media and information literacy competencies, people are empowered to do so in an informed manner.

At the webinar, experts discussed and reflected on the rise of disinformation, hate speech and violent extremist narratives online; shared experiences and related impacts; ethical issues and dimensions on use of media and digital platforms; and regional responses for addressing and countering these issues during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Several international and online projects were highlighted in support of addressing and countering exploitation of media and digital platforms during the  Covid-19 pandemic. They included UNESCO’s and projects towards fostering research, development and awareness on Media and Information Literacy; the , the , and , which is a UN initiative to encourage us all to check the advice we share.

Combating hate speech, cyber bullying, racism, and violent extremism requires innovative and lasting solutions. UNESCO believes that encouraging and enabling civic engagement of young people in promoting human rights, cultural and linguistic diversity and intercultural understanding is essential for peace building and sustainable development.