Combating hate speech on Kyrgyzstan's social media is a complex process

The research team of the project is completing the data collection and beginning the analytical part of the work. The survey respondents included a wide range of participants in the media information process in Kyrgyzstan - heads of private and state media outlets, media NGOs, representatives of ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, representatives of state bodies, science and education sectors, as well as ordinary users via surveys. Regular meetings with members of the Multistakeholder Advisory Council (MAB) are held throughout the project.  While recognizing that the Internet has become an integral part of people's lives, empowering them in all aspects of life, respondents acknowledge that there are numerous instances of life-threatening messages disseminated through social media, discrimination against people on the basis of gender, ethnicity, religion, political position, etc. On the other hand, the excessive measures taken to combat hate speech and disinformation are a serious challenge to freedom of expression. 

"If hate speech is repeatedly used by representatives of the authorities in public speech - presidents, ministers, MPs - it is a sign to ordinary users of social networks that it is allowed, that it is the norm. It is an example followed by millions of ordinary citizens," - the university lecturer said.

"According to our observations, the increase in manifestations of hate speech, in general, manifestations of discord, almost always depends on the socio-political situation in the country. Last year alone we recorded 40 cases of ethnic hatred," - said a government official.

"We face difficulties when it is necessary to correctly translate terms into Kyrgyz so as not to discriminate against groups of people. For example, the term in Russian sounds like "people with disabilities", which they themselves chose as acceptable and acceptable, because first it's "people" and then "disability". And in Kyrgyz it is 'mayyp adamdar', disability comes first," - the media editor said.

"What does the term 'hate speech' mean? I don't know, it's the first time I've heard it," - from a user survey.

"The initiative from the authorities to regulate hate speech and misinformation on social media will be perceived as another attempt to put pressure on freedom of speech, following the bitter experience of the bills passed in recent years," - media editor.

"The media needs to be very careful when they write about conflicts," - a governmental official.

"The fight against hate speech needs to be understood and embraced by society itself and its leaders and should be based primarily on the values and traditions of society itself, not initiated from the outside" - governmental official.

The project "Combating Hate Speech and Information Pollution for Social Cohesion in Kyrgyzstan" is implemented with the support of UNDP in the Kyrgyz Republic and UNESCO in Almaty. The implementing organization is the Media Consult Foundation with the participation of the Multilateral Advisory Council. The project implementation period is January-April 2023. The final goal is to develop an Analytical framework for ensuring freedom of expression and content moderation in social networks in cases of hate speech to prevent social divisions and hate-motivated conflicts.