OSCE organizes training for journalists on freedom of expression and hate speech prevention in Kazakhstan

An OSCE Programme Office in Astana-supported seminar on the protection of freedom of expression and policies to counter hate speech on the Internet, co-organized with the NGO Legal Media Centre, took place on 5 October 2018 in Uralsk, Kazakhstan.

Some twenty journalists, representatives of civil society and university students discussed the relationship between media and hate speech policies as well as ways to enhance co-operation between government, civil society and media organizations. Together with national experts from Kazakhstan, participants examined a number of electronic resources and print media examples to analyse the vocabulary journalists use. These real-life case studies offered the participants an insight into the damaging effects of stereotypes in the media.

The event aimed to equip journalists with the tools to counter hate speech in the media and on the Internet, including mechanisms to reduce the potential harm from a malicious Internet environment and destructive behaviour such as trolling, cyber-bullying and hate speech.

The seminar was a follow-up to similar events held in Kostanay and Karaganda earlier this year.

The event is part of the Office’s activities aimed at promoting media freedom and freedom of expression in line with OSCE principles and commitments.