The UN Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect unveiled a groundbreaking methodology to monitor social media platforms on Friday.
The initiative, backed by the UK Permanent Mission to the United Nations, marks a strategic effort to address hate speech while respecting international human rights standards.
According to a press statement, “A Comprehensive Methodology for Monitoring Social Media to Address and Counter Online Hate Speech” is a structured approach designed to effectively track, analyze, and respond to hate speech on social media platforms.
The methodology is based on an extensive review of existing methods across academia, technology companies, governments, the UN, and NGOs.
It outlines that monitoring online hate speech starts with three main steps: collecting and parsing real-time data, classifying content, and analyzing patterns and trends.
The critical components of the methodology include a monitoring framework, reporting mechanisms, engagement strategies and technology utilization.
UN entities and partners can use it for low-tech and manual monitoring and more complex AI-driven projects.
“It is my firm hope that this methodology will energize and strengthen our collective action to address and counter online hate speech while upholding our fundamental rights, including freedom of opinion and expression, as well as non-discrimination and equality,” said Special Adviser Alice Wairimu Nderitu, in a statement.
She added that hate speech is now spreading at an unprecedented rate through social media, and the world needs to redouble efforts to address it to protect human dignity. Better monitoring is undoubtedly the starting point.
This initiative expands upon earlier work, such as the guide released in July 2023, “Countering and addressing online hate speech: A guide for policymakers and practitioners.” It highlights areas needing further research to bolster global efforts against online hate speech.
“The UK is pleased to have provided funding for the development of this methodology and to have hosted the launch event for it. This methodology will help ensure that threats posed by hate speech are effectively countered in line with international human rights”, said Archie Young
