UN Experts Warn: Freedom of Speech Not a License for Racial Hatred on Social Media

UN experts have highlighted a significant increase in the use of racial slurs on Twitter following its latest acquisition, with one report indicating a nearly 500% rise in the 'N' word's usage. This alarming trend underscores the urgent need for social media companies to take stronger action against expressions of hatred, especially towards people of African descent. While Twitter attributed the surge to a trolling campaign, the underlying issue of widespread hate speech on various platforms, including those owned by Meta, remains a serious concern.

Despite commitments to combat hate speech, a notable gap exists between company policies and their actual enforcement on social media platforms. This is evident in the approval of inflammatory advertisements, the spread of electoral disinformation, and the unchallenged proliferation of conspiracy theories. Research has also shown that companies like Meta struggle to block certain harmful advertisements, indicating systemic issues in content moderation and policy implementation.

Meta's establishment of an Oversight Board in 2020 was a step towards promoting free expression and addressing content issues. Comprised of diverse experts, the Board makes independent decisions and recommendations. However, its long-term effectiveness depends on sustained commitment from social media companies to review and modify their mechanisms for tackling racial hatred online. The experts warn against the risk of arbitrary decisions and profit interests overshadowing efforts to effectively monitor and regulate content.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk's open letter to Elon Musk stressed that freedom of speech does not grant permission to spread harmful disinformation. Human rights law clearly delineates that freedom of expression ends where hatred incites discrimination, hostility, or violence. The continuous spread of hate speech against people of African descent and other marginalized groups not only violates their rights but also creates societal divisions that are difficult to mend, leading to destabilization.

Tolerating online incitement to hatred inflicts chronic race-based traumatic stress and trauma on individuals, with cumulative effects on mental and physical health. It erodes trust in social media platforms and the justice system among affected communities. Given that young people spend a significant portion of their lives online, their values and actions are heavily influenced by cyber experiences, making the presence of racial hatred particularly alarming. The experts emphasize that social media has a crucial role in preventing further divides to build more just and equitable societies.

The UN experts urgently call upon the CEOs of major social media platforms to center human rights, racial justice, accountability, transparency, corporate social responsibility, and ethics in their business models. They remind these companies that respecting human rights is a core social responsibility and in their long-term interest. Referencing international conventions and guiding principles, the experts urge full assumption of responsibility to address racial hatred online and uphold human rights.