ISLAMABAD: In a bid to promote peace dignity, and respect for all communities, including minorities, Bytes for All (B4A) in association with like-minded civil society organizations has launched an online campaign to push back the menace of hate and incitement to violence, in an effort to support the government of Pakistan’s cause of discouraging hate speech both online and offline and bridge the divisiveness in society.
Hate speech and incitement to violence in Pakistan has been disrupting the peace of our society for decades initially was limited to offline spaces; however, has polluted the online spaces in current times. In fact, the impacts of hate speech in online spaces are far pervasive than offline with severe real-life consequences, such as violence and terrorism.
The government of Pakistan in its National Action Plan in 2014 expressed its firm resolve to fight the issue of hate speech and abusive behaviors on social media and through print literature. The National Counter-Terrorism Authority in this regard made valuable strides on grounds; however, spewing hate in online spaces is still a major challenge to be addressed through collective effort.
I Don’t Forward Hate (#IDontForwardHate) is a civil society lead initiative to contribute to efforts of the government in order to condemn hate speech and incitement to violence in all its manifestations, and to promote peace, inclusiveness, and respect for all communities living in Pakistan.
Bytes for All invites all to join hands and pledge to root out hatred, extremism, sectarianism, and intolerance from Pakistani society, so that everyone can contribute to the sustainable development of the country.