African Media Initiative and United Religions Initiative – Africa Join Forces to Fight Hate Speech
Nairobi, Kenya – The African Media Initiative (AMI) and United Religions
Initiative – Africa (URI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to counter
violent extremism, radicalization and terrorism in Africa and to combat hatred,
prejudice, intolerance and stereotyping on the basis of religion and culture.
The agreement will strengthen the media sector in Africa to ensure and enhance
the working partnership on the continent between media, religious leaders and
faith-based organizations to promote a culture of peace, inter-religious and
intercultural constructive dialogue and harmony.
Initiative – Africa (URI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to counter
violent extremism, radicalization and terrorism in Africa and to combat hatred,
prejudice, intolerance and stereotyping on the basis of religion and culture.
The agreement will strengthen the media sector in Africa to ensure and enhance
the working partnership on the continent between media, religious leaders and
faith-based organizations to promote a culture of peace, inter-religious and
intercultural constructive dialogue and harmony.
The partnership calls for:
The establishment of Departments of Peace in each African country
The establishment of the African Editors-in-Chief Forum to promote a culture of peace
Promotion of peace education in Africa as part of the school curriculum
Promotion of the African Union Interfaith Dialogue Forum
Promotion of the teaching of the Golden Rule “Treat others the way you
want to be treated”
To campaign against hate speech in Africa
To engage leaders, journalists, bloggers, writers, poets, cartoonists and
citizens in Africa and across the globe, with the aim of bringing the media
and the public’s attention to the devastating effects of hate speech
The establishment of Departments of Peace in each African country
The establishment of the African Editors-in-Chief Forum to promote a culture of peace
Promotion of peace education in Africa as part of the school curriculum
Promotion of the African Union Interfaith Dialogue Forum
Promotion of the teaching of the Golden Rule “Treat others the way you
want to be treated”
To campaign against hate speech in Africa
To engage leaders, journalists, bloggers, writers, poets, cartoonists and
citizens in Africa and across the globe, with the aim of bringing the media
and the public’s attention to the devastating effects of hate speech
“It is indeed a great pleasure for URI – Africa to join hands with AMI to promote
ethical, tolerant and inclusive journalism, good media governance and
responsible communications free from hate speech,” says Ambassador Mussie
Hailu, Regional Director of URI Africa and Representative at the UN in Nairobi,
ECA, UNEP and African Union. “The working partnership established will help
combat hatred, prejudice, intolerance and stereotyping on the basis of religion,
ethnicity or culture which represents a significant challenge to peaceful co-
existence in Africa. We need to promote the teaching of the Golden Rule –“Treat
others the way you want to be treated” more than ever as it is a practical action
and a road map to prevent hate speech and promote human dignity and a
culture of peaceful co-existence among people of different religions, cultures and
ethnicities, ” he adds.
ethical, tolerant and inclusive journalism, good media governance and
responsible communications free from hate speech,” says Ambassador Mussie
Hailu, Regional Director of URI Africa and Representative at the UN in Nairobi,
ECA, UNEP and African Union. “The working partnership established will help
combat hatred, prejudice, intolerance and stereotyping on the basis of religion,
ethnicity or culture which represents a significant challenge to peaceful co-
existence in Africa. We need to promote the teaching of the Golden Rule –“Treat
others the way you want to be treated” more than ever as it is a practical action
and a road map to prevent hate speech and promote human dignity and a
culture of peaceful co-existence among people of different religions, cultures and
ethnicities, ” he adds.
On the occasion of the signing ceremony Amb. Hailu also appealed to
journalists not to cover hateful speech coming from politicians or community
and religious leaders and called for media leaders and operators in Africa to lend their full support to efforts to turn the tide against the rise of hate speech on the
continent.
journalists not to cover hateful speech coming from politicians or community
and religious leaders and called for media leaders and operators in Africa to lend their full support to efforts to turn the tide against the rise of hate speech on the
continent.
“I couldn’t think of a better partner than the inter-religious organization
represented by URI-Africa to address the radicalization, violent extremism, and
conflict issues we currently face on this continent,” says AMI CEO Eric Chinje.
“We want to deepen the reporters’ understanding of hate speech and of the
issues of peace and conflict, religious violence and the fight that’s occurring in
places like Nigeria and Cameroun, with Boko Haram, or Kenya with Al Shabbab.”
represented by URI-Africa to address the radicalization, violent extremism, and
conflict issues we currently face on this continent,” says AMI CEO Eric Chinje.
“We want to deepen the reporters’ understanding of hate speech and of the
issues of peace and conflict, religious violence and the fight that’s occurring in
places like Nigeria and Cameroun, with Boko Haram, or Kenya with Al Shabbab.”
The two organizations have begun work already by partnering to organize the
World Interfaith Harmony Week celebration held at the Desmond Tutu Centre in Nairobi last weekend under the theme “Beyond Our Differences.” The event
gathered a host of youth as well as religious leaders and practitioners from a
number of religious organizations and spiritual traditions to discuss the
challenges of religious intolerance, ethnic conflict and terrorism in Africa and
how media covers those topics.
World Interfaith Harmony Week celebration held at the Desmond Tutu Centre in Nairobi last weekend under the theme “Beyond Our Differences.” The event
gathered a host of youth as well as religious leaders and practitioners from a
number of religious organizations and spiritual traditions to discuss the
challenges of religious intolerance, ethnic conflict and terrorism in Africa and
how media covers those topics.
For
more information on the project and to arrange interviews with African
Media Initiative officials, please contact Justus Machio Tel: +254700857024 or Email: jmachio@