At the ceremony, Isatou Jammeh, president of the association said hate speech has become an obstacle that threatens the social fabric, harmony and wellbeing of diverse communities within the country, thus inciting and inviting violence and intolerance.
“Hate speech is new to the society, however; they now amplified by new communication technologies like the social media platforms. The online hate speech has become one of the most common ways of spreading violence and threatening peace around the world. We should therefore collectively fight to combat it.” she said.
Eric Mehler, Deputy Chief of Mission, US Embassy, called on all to take responsibility and explore debate and togetherness with answers to protect the country’s young and fragile democracy.
He flagged that freedom of expression can be a beacon as well as a weapon, thus urging all to utilise it for the development of the country.
Lamin Queen Jammeh, Minister for Information, said government will continue to strengthen the rule of law to make sure they fight towards combatting hate speech and make sure the country continues to live in peace.
Muhammed M.S. Bah, president of The Gambia Press Union (GPU), advised the association to decentralise this kind of initiative for more sensitisation to curb and prevent more peaceful threats to environment ahead of the local government elections.
Arret Jatta, a participant and a journalist, thanked the initiators and promised to disseminate knowledge gained among her colleagues and to also stay away from writing hateful reports or give platform to people with that motive.
The US-EPAN comprises young people and is the direct beneficiaries of the US State Department-funded programs within the continent, serving as a liaison between its membership and the US Embassy, Banjul and other international alumni bodies.
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