The danger of hate speech was especially evident after the recent suicide attacks in Al Qaa. These despicable acts against innocent Lebanese were followed, in some parts of the country, by verbal and physical aggressions against innocent Syrian refugees, perpetrated by people legitimately outraged by the Al Qaa attacks, but who wrongly associate the occurrence of terrorist acts with the presence of the refugees. The Lebanese authorities were prompt in condemning and stopping these actions. Media, too, can play a key role in countering misperceptions and encourage a more understanding, tolerant attitude.
Back in 2013, the UNDP-sponsored «Journalists’ Pact for Strengthening Civil Peace in Lebanon», stated (art. 3): «Journalists shall commit to strengthening national unity and coexistence, respect religions, refrain from instigating sectarian or confessional strife, and reject violent disobedience movements, crime, and abasement»; and again in art. 11: «Journalists shall refrain from spreading a spirit of violence and strife». Since then, UNDP has continued to work with media editors and journalists to monitor the implementation of the Pact through periodical analysis of the contents of news and editorials, in partnership with the Maharat Foundation.
Social media can also be powerful instruments of positive messages. After the Al Qaa attacks, for example, Lebanese Twitter users have united against racism towards Syrians through the trending hashtag #RefugeesAreNotTerrorists, hoping to counter xenophobia and distill misperceptions about refugees.
This supplement you are about to read aims to be a space free of hatred and misconceptions. You’ll find a variety of different perspectives shedding light on critical and sometimes controversial topics. We hope that this will inspire positive action and contribute to establishing a more open and peaceful dialogue on issues that are of a concern today.