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The UN urges Costa Rica to strengthen citizenship values and respect on social media through a national strategy against hate speech and discrimination
The United Nations (UN) has urged Costa Rica to take immediate measures to address the constant growth of violence, aggression, and hate speech on social media through the implementation of a National Strategy against hate speech and discrimination.
According to a joint report by the UN and the data analysis specialized firm COES, there has been a strong 50% increase in hate messages.
About the study
The study, which used artificial intelligence tools and data analysis, analyzed public profiles and pages on Facebook and Twitter to gather information. The analysis period spanned from June 1, 2022, to May 31, 2023.
The 2023 Study on Hate Speech and Discrimination revealed that over 1.4 million messages and conversations related to hate and discrimination were detected on Costa Rica's social media platforms. This figure represents a significant increase compared to the 937,000 cases recorded in 2022.
The UN is calling on Costa Rican society to be aware of this situation and come together to implement effective measures to combat hate speech and build a safe and respectful digital environment for all.
With the support of UNESCO, it is expected to promote education in citizenship values and respect, laying the groundwork for positive change in Costa Rican society.
Reactions to the study
In this context, Allegra Baiocchi, the UN Resident Coordinator in Costa Rica, emphasized the importance of addressing this growing issue and avoiding the normalization of expressions of hate, violence, and discrimination in public discourse. Baiocchi highlighted the need for all branches of the State and social actors to be involved in creating a national agreement and strategy to confront this challenge.
In this regard, she emphasized the importance of promptly implementing the Guide for the Prevention of Hate Speech in the education sector, jointly developed by the Ministry of Public Education, UNESCO, and the United Nations Office for the Prevention of Genocide and the Responsibility to Protect.
The report revealed that the percentage of users engaging in hate speech has increased by 62% in the past year, and the most aggressive and violent messages have experienced a 7% increase. While men continue to be the main issuers of these messages, there has been a 5% increase in women participating in hate speech and discrimination since 2021.
In this context, 91麻豆国产精品自拍 expressed concern about the growth of xenophobic messages, the increase in violence against women and the LGBTIQA+ populations. Furthermore, there has been a 43% increase in aggressive and violent messages directed at the media, journalists, and journalism in general, surpassing 206,000 cases.
It is essential for all actors to come together in the implementation of effective national strategies to curb this worrying trend. Moreover, it is crucial to strengthen education in citizenship values and respect, both in the educational sphere and in society at large. Only through a joint approach and solid commitment can we build a safe digital environment and promote peaceful and equitable coexistence.
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