Algerian Radio
The world celebrates the International Day for Countering Hate Speech on Thursday, an occasion established by the United Nations General Assembly to strengthen international efforts to combat speech based on discrimination, incitement, and intolerance, while consolidating the values of mutual respect and peaceful coexistence among peoples and societies.
This commemoration comes at a time when the challenges related to the spread of hate speech through the media and digital platforms continue to grow, along with the risks they pose to civil peace and social cohesion in different regions of the world.
The central theme this year for the International Day for Countering Hate Speech, celebrated on June 18, is: "The Power of Partnerships in Countering Hate Speech."
The UN emphasized that combating this phenomenon requires a comprehensive approach involving governments, educational institutions, the media, religious institutions, civil society organizations, technology companies, and citizens.
In this regard, the United Nations relies on its Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech, launched on June 18, 2019, as well as the General Assembly resolution adopted in June 2025, which calls on member states to promote interreligious and intercultural dialogue and to strengthen the values of tolerance, mutual understanding, and cooperation as essential tools for addressing hate speech.
The international organization also recalled that hate speech does not only target specific individuals or groups; it threatens entire societies and can act as an early warning sign of impending violence or conflict.
Therefore, combating it represents a global priority requiring cooperation and coordination among all concerned actors.
Furthermore, the UN highlighted the importance of education, the media, and digital literacy to raise public awareness, enable individuals to distinguish reliable information from harmful content, and support efforts to build a healthy information environment based on respect for human rights as well as cultural and religious diversity.
For the United Nations, mastering the knowledge and skills necessary to identify and counter hate speech constitutes "one of the most effective means of prevention."
