The Civil Society Organisations Network (CiSON) in Lakes State, South Sudan, has expressed concern over the increasing use of social media platforms to spread hate speech and incitement to violence. According to Daniel Laat Kon Ater, chairperson of CiSON, some individuals and online administrators are using Facebook and other online media platforms to share hate-filled messages targeting specific communities and groups. This has resulted in fueling anger, revenge, trauma, and inter-communal violence across the country.
CiSON has observed that some Facebook pages and online groups are deliberately sharing gruesome images of dead bodies, fighting scenes, and hate-filled messages targeting specific communities and groups. The network believes that this irresponsible use of social media is having a negative impact on the country. While freedom of expression is a constitutional right, Ater emphasized that freedom does not mean freedom to incite violence. He stressed that sharing graphic war content violates human dignity, traumatises families of victims, and directly undermines ongoing peacebuilding efforts.
The Civil Society Organisations Network has called upon all Facebook Online Administrators and Page Owners to immediately stop sharing war videos, photos of dead bodies, and messages that contain hate speech and incitement. The network urges them to follow ethical reporting, verify information before posting, and promote peace instead of violence. Ater encouraged Facebook users and the public to refrain from liking, commenting, and sharing content that spreads hate and violence, emphasizing that they should not be agents of conflict.
Lakes State has been experiencing insecurity and inter-communal violence, with the governor vowing to tackle the issue head-on. Recently, the SPLM Secretary in Lakes State, Asunta Bauda, was fired by the SPLM SG. The state is also facing challenges related to hunger, with the governor urging residents to prepare for it. The situation in Lakes State highlights the need for peace and stability in the region.
The Media Authority and the National Communication Authority have been urged to enforce existing media ethics and take action against platforms that continuously spread hate speech. CiSON believes that online platforms should be used to promote dialogue, tolerance, unity, and development, rather than to divide people. The network encourages the public to use social media responsibly and promote peace both online and offline.
The issue of hate speech and incitement to violence in South Sudan is a national concern, with implications for peace and stability. The Civil Society Organisations Network is working to promote peace and stability in Lakes State and the country at large. The network's efforts aim to ensure that social media platforms are used to promote peace, rather than spread hate and violence.
The call by CiSON to stop spreading hate speech and incitement to violence on social media platforms is a timely intervention. It emphasizes the need for responsible use of social media and the importance of promoting peace and stability in South Sudan. The public has been urged to support efforts to promote peace and stability in the country.
Key points
- The Civil Society Organisations Network in Lakes State urges online media platforms to stop spreading hate speech and incitement to violence.
- The network emphasizes the need for responsible use of social media to promote peace and stability in South Sudan.
- The Media Authority and the National Communication Authority have been urged to enforce existing media ethics and take action against platforms that continuously spread hate speech.
