Marqos Launches Campaign Against Hate Speech with UNESCO

Minister of Information, lawyer Paul Marqos, announced that he is working with "the relevant professional bodies, a group of ministry staff, and several members of parliament" to draft an expedited bill incorporating additional proposals related to the media law recently passed by the Parliament.

Marqos made these remarks during the launch of the national campaign "I Hate Hate Speech," aimed at combating hate speech and limiting its spread and effects on individuals and communities. The press conference took place at 2 p.m. today at the Ministry of Information, attended by Paolo Fontani, Regional Director of UNESCO in Beirut, Georges Awad, UNESCO’s Communications and Media Officer, artist Talal Al-Jardi, art critic and media expert Dr. Jamal Fayad, and various media outlets and journalists.

"All these campaigns focus on combating hate speech and misinformation across multiple levels. This time specifically, we are launching a new or renewed campaign on combating hate speech—this speech that often fills social media platforms. Some may not realize that the Ministry of Information has no legal authority over social media, nor do its powers regarding media extend broadly. Therefore, we believe dialogue, collaboration, and interaction with media outlets and journalists represent the best ways to curb hate speech, as we consider journalists partners in this effort," said Marqos.

He added: "This is not our first collaboration with UNESCO—we have worked together on more than ten or twelve videos, organized conferences, and received support from UNESCO for the Ministry of Information and Télévision Libanaise (TVL)."

"Our focus on combating hate speech stems from our belief that the conflict that can arise—sometimes visible through negative reactions, especially on social media, and occasionally in certain media outlets—is no less destructive than the war we know," he continued.

"We’ve had enough suffering from war in Lebanon; we don’t want to add further tragedies resulting from mutual attacks and hostility among us. We want to emphasize that social media are not battlefields where we fight each other, but tools for interaction and communication. You have the right—and indeed, it is encouraged—to express your views openly, honestly, and clearly, whether political or otherwise, but always with respect for others. Leave room for them to respond, respect their privacy, religious symbols, rituals, sanctity of life and death, and all aspects connected to human dignity, which must never be trampled under the guise of exercising our freedoms."

"Our shared goal is positive engagement. Let us express our opinions to one another while preserving freedoms, rights, and dignity. When political arguments are accompanied by insult, harm, verbal and moral violence, humiliation, and disrespect, they lose their strength, the value of the opinion, and its validity," he added.

Responding to a question, Marqos said: "With the issuance of the new media law—which, for the first time, includes specific provisions against hate speech—I would like to highlight that we have worked extensively with UNESCO on this law for a long period. Every phrase in it reflects collective effort, research, and discussion with all relevant stakeholders. I personally followed this law’s path since my arrival at the ministry, attending committees all the way to the full parliamentary session. We advanced this process until it was finally approved yesterday evening."

"We wanted to incorporate certain demands raised by professional and media groups. We held meetings with the concerned professional and media bodies just before the law’s approval. I personally requested to speak and addressed these points, having compiled them in a comparative table between the text as delivered by the joint committees and the requests made by some professional and media organizations. I had barely finished presenting all these demands when several members of parliament insisted on not introducing any amendments to the core text that had undergone the legislative process through the committees, up to the joint parliamentary committees, leading the Council to decide on voting on the bill as submitted by those committees," he said.

"We respect the will of the Parliament, but I wish to inform you today of an important development: we are concluding consultations with the relevant professional bodies and media outlets, and are now working on drafting an expedited bill, alongside the recently approved media law. This new draft will, to the greatest extent possible, incorporate the additional proposals related to the media law, aiming to satisfy as many interested parties and sectors as possible. This work is currently being carried out by a team within the ministry, in cooperation with several members of parliament who are also contributing to this effort, ensuring some of them remain informed about the ongoing work, which is still under review, in preparation for its eventual expansion into a standalone expedited bill proposal containing these additional suggestions from professional and media organizations," he concluded.

Fontani

In his turn, Paolo Fontani, Regional Director of UNESCO in Beirut, stated: "Countering hate speech is a fundamental part of UNESCO’s mission to promote peace, dialogue, and understanding, starting with each one of us. Through 'I Hate Hate Speech,' UNESCO calls on everyone to join us, take a clear stand, and begin with ourselves: rejecting hatred, promoting respectful dialogue, and spreading positive discourse that fosters understanding and brings people together."

Statement

A joint statement from the Ministry and UNESCO said the campaign urges "pausing at the words and narratives we hear, consume, and share, reflecting on their impact before reacting or disseminating them, and making an informed choice not to contribute to spreading hate speech, discrimination, or division. It also encourages adopting discourse that promotes positive dialogue, mutual understanding, and social cohesion."

The statement noted: "As part of the campaign, a series of meetings with youth across Lebanon will be held to create spaces for dialogue on hate speech, exchange perspectives, and reflect on the role of youth in shaping public discourse. These gatherings will encourage young people to develop narratives that strengthen understanding, dialogue, and social unity."

It highlighted: "Lebanese artist Talal Al-Jardi is participating in the campaign, bringing his voice, presence, and commitment to fighting hate speech and promoting dialogue and understanding, while Phemnomena handles the campaign’s creative direction and implementation."

Through this campaign, UNESCO and the Ministry of Information reaffirm their commitment to combating hate speech and promoting positive dialogue, encouraging individuals and communities to play an active role in shaping discussions and discourses that do not fuel hatred or division. 'I Hate Hate Speech' is a call to question, reject, and halt the spread of hate speech."