The proliferation of misinformation, disinformation, and hate/extremist speech, conspiracy theories rampant on new media and digital communication platforms, has added new dimensions to existing challenges related to pluralism, diversity and social cohesion in the Middle East.  While new media and digital communication technologies has helped augment social interactions it has created an information landscape that exacerbates polarization and conflict.   

A growing number of activists and civil society organizations in the Middle East recognize the salience of this issue, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, and are now leveraging the very-media and digital communication platforms to combat misinformation, disinformation, extremism/hate speech and promote pluralism, diversity and inclusion and social cohesion. In this panel, we will hear from organizations working to counter disinformation and hate speech and learn from them about what they are doing to build social-cohesion and peace, using the same platforms.

This session is free to all, but attendees must RSVP to receive the Zoom link.