By Vivian Okejeme
The International Media and Information Literacy Institute (IMILI), has announced it official virtual launch of one of its continental flagship initiatives, the Africa Against Xenophobia Project(AfAX-P) in commemoration of the International Day for Countering Hate Speech.
IMILI, a pioneering UNESCO Category 2 institute is dedicated to research policy advocacy, capacity building and international cooperations.
It is instituted to promote responsible communication, information integrity, ethical media practices, and informed digital citizenship, the Institute serves as a critical response to the urgent global challenges posed by misinformation, fake news, hate speech, and digital manipulation.
This move, according to IMILI is with the aim to underscoring the project’s critical mission to foster unity and combat harmful narratives across the African continent.
AfAX-P is designed to proactively address and mitigate the escalating spread of xenophobia induced by hate speech, and misinformation that threaten Africa’s social cohesion, regional integration, and economic stability.
The event was piloted by distinguished panel of experts and representatives from various African nations and the United Kingdom, like Uganda, Namibia, Mozambique, South Africa, Nigeria, United Kingdom, Morocco, and Sierra Leone,fostering a crucial dialogue on these pressing issues.
The discussion delved into several key areas, including: The significant role of media disinformation, misinformation, and hate speech in perpetuating xenophobic practices across the continent; The urgent imperative to address these challenges for a peaceful and prosperous Africa; and actionable strategies and innovative solutions to combat identified challenges.
In his message, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Malick Fall stated that countering hate speech in the age of Artificial Intelligence required a collective effort: Governments must strengthen policies and regulatory frameworks that promote responsible AI use while safeguarding human rights and freedom of expression.
“Technology companies must design systems that are transparent, inclusive, and accountable ensuring their algorithms do not amplify harmful content.” He said, “let us renew our commitment to a Nigeria, and a world where diversity is celebrated, dignity is protected, and technology is guided by humanity. Let us stand together to say: No to hate.
Highlighting the importance of the project is Dr. Sharon Omotoso, Director of IMILI, who said;
“The AfAX-P is more than just an initiative; it is a continental call to action. We are witnessing an alarming rise in digital hate that undermines our shared values and development aspirations. This project will empower communities, harmonize policies, and strengthen digital integrity to build a resilient Africa. We urge all African countries and stakeholders to join us in a strategic partnership throughout this one-year project duration to collectively reclaim our digital spaces for unity and progress.”
Concluding, it revealed that throughout the one-year duration, AfAX-P will consist of a wide range of activities and strategic partnerships aimed to promote media and information literacy, foster high-level policy harmonization, and strengthen responsible digital communication to ensure regional unity, peaceful coexistence, and the protection of continental investments.
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