Social Media 4 Peace Training to Fight Harmful Content ahead of the 2024 Elections in Indonesia
On 3 – 4 May 2023, UNESCO held an online training on online harmful content analysis in times of elections. 35 people participated, representing the 12 member organizations of the Damai Coalition in Indonesia as well as the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM).
The training strengthened the capacities of Indonesian civil society to monitor the spread of disinformation and hate speech on social media. Ahead of the 2024 General Elections, effective preventive and monitoring mechanisms will be key to ensure that electoral campaigning and communications are not disrupted.
The event brought together experts in various fields, including from Argentina, Kenya, India and Indonesia itself. Speakers discussed the challenges of harmful content analysis and offered different methodologies, tools and resources for effective monitoring of hate speech and disinformation during an electoral cycle.
The event brought together experts in various fields, including from Argentina, Kenya, India and Indonesia itself. Speakers discussed the challenges of harmful content analysis and offered different methodologies, tools and resources for effective monitoring of hate speech and disinformation during an electoral cycle.
Case studies from different countries and regions highlighted trends and strategies to tackle election-related disinformation online, analyzing the tactics used to spread hate speech and incitement during elections, including coded language used by political activists, incitement on replies, weaponized satire, misuse of Facebook ads, gender-based attacks, ethnic stereotyping, and bot armies.
The training was held on the 30th edition of World Press Freedom Day, as part of the Social Media 4 Peace project, which is funded by the European Union. Within the project, UNESCO supported the setting up of the Damai coalition expected to advise digital platforms on content moderation practices and policies, monitor the spread of harmful content online and serve as a public forum for exchange and innovative policymaking.