By Nakasia Logan
October 9, 2024
Georgetown, Guyana — In a proactive move to address the growing threat of hate speech, the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) of Guyana has partnered with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to monitor and counteract harmful rhetoric, particularly on social media.
This collaboration, formalized with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for an E-Monitoring Tool at the Pegasus Hotel on Tuesday, comes as the country approaches its 2025 general elections—a period often marked by heightened political and social tensions.
The ERC has reactivated its Media Management Unit (MMU), which recorded 116 infractions between August and December 2023 and an additional 163 from January to September 2024.
These violations, mostly on social media, underscore the critical need for a comprehensive approach to tackling hate speech.
The ERC’s new automated monitoring system will identify offensive language, enabling prompt responses.
This system will be complemented by a manual verification process to ensure accuracy and effectiveness in addressing infractions.
ERC Chairman Shaik Moeen Ul-Hack emphasized the importance of this initiative as a measure to reduce racial and ethnic violations in the lead-up to the elections.
The ERC will issue cautionary warnings and, if necessary, escalate issues to its investigative unit to ensure a fair approach to all cases.
UNDP Representative Gerado Noto highlighted the partnership’s role in strengthening the ERC’s ability to combat disinformation.
He noted that addressing the spread of misleading and harmful messages is crucial for safeguarding democratic processes, especially as the 2025 elections draw near.
Through this partnership, the ERC and UNDP aim to foster social cohesion by mitigating hate speech, ensuring that the public can engage in the upcoming elections in an atmosphere free from racial and ethnic divisiveness.