'Media is One of Most Important Watchdogs We Have in Society,' Says UN Under-Secretary-General
20:25 04.05.2026 (Updated: 20:45 04.05.2026)
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"Whoever controls the media spaces often has the power to decide which stories feel important and true," noted Amahle-Imvelo Jaxa, SA content creator, underlining that the new generation makes current affairs accessible and engaging for young people.
"Hate speech is not mere words, it is words that are weaponized," that bear the risk of causing real harm, and serve as a critical indicator of the risk of genocide, said Chaloka Beyani, UN Under-Secretary-General, Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, speaking at the World Press Freedom Day 2026 conference in Lusaka, Zambia.
"All past genocides that have been adjudicated by international courts have been preceded and accompanied by hate speech," he pointed out.
"At UNESCO, we believe that freedom of expression is an invisible infrastructure that is indispensable to societies," said Mariya Gabriel, Assistant Director-General of Communication and Information at UNESCO.
Watch the video below to learn how AI fuels hate speech, why women journalists are increasingly targeted online, and how young creators are reshaping the media landscape.
"Hate speech is not mere words, it is words that are weaponized," that bear the risk of causing real harm, and serve as a critical indicator of the risk of genocide, said Chaloka Beyani, UN Under-Secretary-General, Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, speaking at the World Press Freedom Day 2026 conference in Lusaka, Zambia.
"All past genocides that have been adjudicated by international courts have been preceded and accompanied by hate speech," he pointed out.
"At UNESCO, we believe that freedom of expression is an invisible infrastructure that is indispensable to societies," said Mariya Gabriel, Assistant Director-General of Communication and Information at UNESCO.
Watch the video below to learn how AI fuels hate speech, why women journalists are increasingly targeted online, and how young creators are reshaping the media landscape.
© telegram sputnik_africa
