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UNESCO supports Twitter Space on Freedom of Expression and Content Moderation in Kenya
The discussion drew around 250 participants, including members of the in Kenya, which was launched under the UNESCO "Social Media for Peace" project in March 2023. The panelists of the discussion were representatives from Article 19, Association of Media Women in Kenya (AMWIK), Code for Africa, Baraza Media Lab, Build Up, Media Council of Kenya, Kenya ICT Network (KICTANET), Search for Common Ground, as well as UNESCO.
During the Twitter Space, Kenneth Okwaroh, Executive Director at said, “In light of the progress made by digital platforms, particularly social media it is crucial that we reflect and try to address the challenges like online hate, abuse, and disinformation.” He further emphasised the immense implications these issues have on public dialogues in Kenya, urging collective action to foster a healthier ecosystem.
John Okande, Programme Officer at UNESCO Office in Nairobi, echoed Okwaroh’s sentiments, underscoring the significance of building societal resilience to harmful content online and adopting a multi-stakeholder approach to counter it.
The Multistakeholder Coalition will have a crucial role in ensuring greater accountability of digital platforms fostering a more responsible and safer digital environment.
Panelists engaged in thought-provoking discussions exploring the intricate relationship between content moderation and rights in digital spaces, highlighting the delicate balance required to safeguard freedom of speech while effectively combating harmful online content.
Muthuri Kathure, Senior Program Officer at Article 19 Eastern Africa, stressed that suppressing freedom of expression has far-reaching consequences on all other rights, as it serves as a foundation for their exercise. “Poorly executed content moderation can have severe repercussions, leading to erosion of the system, compromised governance, human rights violations, and a negative impact on democracy,” she added.
Patience Nyange, Executive Director at Association of Media Women in Kenya stated that there is need to develop policies that will guide prevention mechanisms of the spread of hate speech, disinformation, and graphic violence online.
Content moderation decisions on platforms can be subjective, leading to concerns about possible censorship. Thus, it is a shared responsibility involving all key stakeholders.
The discussions further emphasized the importance of holding technology companies accountable. With the immense power that digital platforms wield in shaping information access and public discourse, the need to ensure that fundamental freedoms and rights are upheld while addressing information disorder within the platforms becomes paramount.
Allan Cheboi, Senior Investigations Manager at Code for Africa indicated, “The main reason why technology platforms came up with content moderation is to protect the end-users. However, there’s need to ensure that as the platforms are moderating content, it is done without infringing on the freedom of expression or as a means of censorship.”
The participants also touched upon the role of peacebuilding in countering harmful content online and restoring societal cohesion. Jacob Nyongesa, Senior Officer, Research Planning and Strategy at the Media Council of Kenya, emphasized the importance of continuous advocacy, awareness raising, and capacity development.
People need to understand that they have the right to freely express themselves and share content. However, it is equally vital to emphasise that this freedom should be exercised responsibly, ensuring that their content does not harm others or contribute to divisions within the country.
The UNESCO EU-funded "Social Media 4 Peace" project seeks to strengthen the resilience of societies to potentially harmful content spread online, in particular hate speech inciting violence while protecting freedom of expression and enhancing the promotion of peace through digital technologies, notably social media. The project is also being implemented in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Indonesia, and Colombia.
