OSCE trains journalists on freedom of expression and preventing hate speech in Kazakhstan

An OSCE-supported seminar on the protection of freedom of expression and policies to counter hate speech on the internet took place on 25 September 2017 in Shymkent, Kazakhstan.

Some 20 journalists, law-enforcement officials and representatives of civil society 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 experts from Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, the participants examined a number of selected internet resources and print media to analyse the vocabulary used by journalists and on social media. Using real-life cases, the participants examined how intolerance can be shaped by visual stereotypes of different social and ethnic groups 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 human behaviour such as trolling, cyber-bullying and hate speech. It was co-organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Astana and the NGO “Legal Media Centre”, as a follow-up to seminars held in Astana and Almaty in 2016.  

Future seminars will be held in Petropavlovsk on 13 October 2017, Aktobe on 25 October 2017 and Ust-Kamenogorsk on 27 October 2017.

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