Freedom of expression and preventing hate speech focus of OSCE training seminar for journalists in Kazakhstan

An OSCE Programme Office in Astana-supported seminar, co-organized with NGO Legal Media Centre, on the protection of freedom of expression and policies to counter hate speech on the Internet took place on 12 June 2018 in Kostanay, 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 national experts from Kazakhstan, participants examined a number of Internet resources and print media examples to analyse the vocabulary used by journalists and on social media. Using real-life cases, the participants learnt how audiences can be affected by the use 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 human behaviour such as trolling, cyber-bullying and hate speech.

The seminar was a follow-up to those held in Aktobe, Shymkent, Petropavlovsk, and Ust-Kamenogorsk in 2017. The OSCE-supported publication Freedom of Expression and Hate Speech Vocabulary on the Internet was disseminated among participants.

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.