Teachers and students of the Journalism educational programme took part in an interactive lecture entitled ‘How to counter xenophobia in wartime. The media aspect’, organised by the Kyiv Human Rights Hub in conjunction with the Department of Social Communications of the Institute of Journalism at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. The lecture was given by Vyacheslav Likhachov, an expert at the Centre for Civil Liberties and head of the National Minority Rights Monitoring Group.During the meeting, the speaker emphasised that Ukrainian society has become much more sensitive to manifestations of hate speech. Such cases are now less frequent, occurring mainly in marginal publications or social networks. At the same time, according to the expert, part of the problem has ‘moved’ to the online space, where uncontrolled statements spread more quickly.
‘Hate speech and freedom of expression are a system in which it is important to find a balance. It is a dynamic process that changes along with society and the media,’ said Vyacheslav Likhachev. The lecturer emphasised that journalists have the right to their own opinion, but in their work they must distinguish between constructive criticism and hate speech. Careless or generalised wording can not only offend individuals, but also create dangerous social stereotypes that provoke intolerance and discrimination. Special attention was paid to legal aspects. In particular, Article 161 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine was mentioned, which provides for liability for intentional actions aimed at inciting national, racial or religious hatred. At the same time, Vyacheslav noted that the definition of hate speech in Ukrainian legislation needs to be clarified, as it does not always allow for a clear distinction between deliberate statements and ordinary criticism or commercial activity. Participants also received answers to their questions. For example, they learned how journalists and the media can effectively respond to manifestations of xenophobia and hate speech. Vyacheslav Likhachov emphasised that the fight against such manifestations must be balanced on the part of both law enforcement agencies and editorial offices themselves. While it is important for law enforcement agencies to act cautiously but not to ignore such cases, the most important thing for journalists is to understand the consequences of their own words and not to reinforce prejudices.
‘The media must monitor what they disseminate. It is important not only to respond to negativity, but also to create a positive context — to show examples of mutual respect, to talk about cultural diversity, to explain religious traditions,’ the expert emphasised.Vyacheslav cited several illustrative examples. Last year, a wave of outrage on social media over a Hanukkah menorah in a public space escalated into vandalism. This was the result of a lack of context. On the other hand, during the Hasidic pilgrimage to Uman, the media was able to prevent tension: live broadcasts, reports from the city, and explanations of the meaning of the holiday helped society to perceive the event calmly. Responsible journalism can not only inform, but also influence the social atmosphere, reduce intolerance, and promote mutual understanding. The lecture provided an opportunity to rethink the role of journalists in a society experiencing war. After all, as the expert noted, hate speech undermines trust and solidarity, and therefore countering it is not only a matter of ethics but also of national security.Material prepared by: Daria Bukaieva, 1st year student, majoring in Journalism.
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