P. A. Chacko
“Today, as this year’s theme reminds us, hate speech travels faster and farther than ever, amplified by Artificial Intelligence. Biased algorithms and digital platforms are spreading toxic content and creating new spaces for harassment and abuse.”
(UN Secretary-General António Guterre
The UN defines hate speech as “communication that attacks or discriminates against individuals or groups based on identity factors like religion, ethnicity, or gender.”
Hate speech comes from a rotten heart. It is generated in communities by individuals or groups who want to indulge in dominance, or seek to eliminate or destroy the existence of others.
We see this among anti-social persons, political leaders with vested interests, national leaders who want to dominate over other nations, or even among religious leaders, holy men and women.
Often hate speech creates divisions in communities by poisoning people’s minds. That in turn may cause a spiral of violence.
Swami Senehananda Jyoti of East West Awakening Centre in Kerala, states: “Hate speech comes out when one wants to demonstrate his or her upper hand or dominence. There is a greater need for all religions to mutually appreciate one another instead of fighting against or abusing one another.
“Christ, Gandhiji, Vivekananda, and Sri Narayana Guru, among others, are our examples of persons with nobility and broad visions of human fellowship and harmony. Our leaders have a great role in controlling people who use hate speeches.
“Sri Narayana Guru beautifully stated: whatever the religion, it is important we behave as human beings.”
In today’s world, one major threat to human harmony is the use and abuse of media channels. Sensible people point out that with Artificial Intelligence (AI) spreading its wings far and wide, such technologies may be used to make hate speech a frequent tool for spreading poisonous and divisive ideologies globally.
Silence is no answer. Sensible and fair-minded people should stand up and speak up and need to be active in countering hate speech.