Tackling hate speech

Course type

Online, self-study course that uses videos, interactive exercises and case studies to equip you with knowledge, skills and tools to enable you to recognise, analyse and tackle hate speech in your context.

Target audience

Designed for activists, youth movements and the staff and volunteers of civil society and community based organisations.

Time : 1-3 hours

With 2 required and 3 optional modules you can focus on learning what you need to know. Take the course at your own pace, at any time, free of charge. TIP! Why not include the course in onboarding training for new staff members? (Contact us for help in tracking completion)

Access the course

NOTE: When you click on the above button you will be asked to register for the ‘learning site’ (course). Click on the log in button and create a free account using your email address. You will then be automatically re-directed to the course.

Why take the course?

This course will help you understand and analyse hate speech, discover best practices for work to tackle hate speech and stay safe and well while doing that work.

Course modules

This foundational module is the longest in the course and provides you with a solid grounding in the issues.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this module, you will be able to:
- Describe the impact of hate speech and how it contributes to violence.
- Explain:
  
  what hate speech is and the typical components of hate speech.
  
  the difference between prohibited (illegal) hate speech and other forms of hateful speech.
  
  the criteria we can use to determine if an expression amounts to prohibited hate speech (the UN Rabat criteria).
  
  why legislation is not the only answer, and the risks of legislation.
- Recognise hate speech and analyse a case of hate speech using the Rabat Criteria at a basic level.
- Describe a range of possible strategies for tackling hate speech.
- Identify relevant hate speech legislation in your country context.
Estimated time: 50-90 minutes
Essential for everyone working to counter hate speech, this short module provides guidance on safeguarding your (or your staff/volunteers’) personal well-being and security.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of the module, you will be able to:
- Explain the importance of self-care and psycho-social support for people engaged in tackling hate speech.
- Develop a personal self-care checklist.
- Identify key elements of organisational psychosocial support that need to be put in place.
- Understand the importance of digital security.
  Find alternative courses and resources to support you in ensuring you are safe online.
Estimated time: 15-30 minutes
This module looks at why monitoring matters, how you can use simple tools to track it in a practical way and how this can help you work more effectively with advocacy, countering hate speech, transforming attitudes or early warning systems.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this module, you will be able to:
- Explain why hate speech monitoring matters.
- Define the purpose and scope of your monitoring activities.
- Follow a simple 9-step monitoring process.
Estimated time: 30 minutes
In this module you’ll learn two practical ways to respond to hate speech: one that replies directly, and one that tells a better story. By the end of this module, you’ll have a clearer understanding of which strategy to choose when and how to use each of them.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this module, you will be able to:
- Explain the difference between counter-speech and alternative narratives.
- Decide when a direct response is helpful and when it may create risk.
- Create a simple counter-speech message.
- Create a basic alternative narrative message.
- Recognise when hate speech should be reported instead of debated.
Estimated time: 30 minutes
This module explains what a hate speech lexicon is, what it’s useful for and how to develop one in 9 simple steps. It’s ideal for any organisation wanting to monitor hate speech, train community leaders and journalists, or raise awareness.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this module, you will be able to:
- Explain why lexicons matter.
- Develop a lexicon using the 9-step process.
Estimated time: 15 minutes

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– the website hosting our digital courses.

Access the course here:

Tackling hate speech