Online hate in cultural circles

Most members of some of the diaspora founded in Canada condemn the publication of hate messages in their community.

The role played by social media in the spread of these messages is of concern to Professor Destiny Tehwali (UQAM) in the Department of Communication at the University of Quebec in Montreal.

For example, at the level of African ethnic cultural communities, we are witnessing the spread of messages that incite further tribal hatred or xenophobia., Identified as an expert in intercultural communication.

There is also a set of information that is specially transmitted through Facebook and the WhatsApp application that is widely used by these communities.

According to Destiny Techovali, Messages about tribal aggression [ou d’une ethnie] The other is often explained by too many ideological videos or photos, which can have very negative consequences.

The professor was identified by African communities from countries coexisting with ethnic communities such as South Sudan, Cameroon, Cర్te d’Ivoire and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Sandra Sasa believes that having more than 200 tribesmen in her homeland is an exploitative asset.

Photo: Radio-Canada

Sandra Sasa, originally from the Congo and living in the greater Toronto area, condemned the behavior. This is the problem we are facing now. Unfortunately, social networks are beginning to become a means of communicating with a particular tribe. , She confirms.

Ms. Sasa said she has been discussing the matter with some members of her community for some time. She believes the spread of hate messages will weaken them.

As Franco-Antarians, we already face many obstacles and are trying to divide society, because beyond the barriers that the system imposes on us here, we still create our own barriers.

Some immigrant groups are created and controlled from countries of their origin or outside of Canada, Destiny Techehouli explains.

Torontonian Nike Moufi

Photo: Nikkei Moufi provided

Nikki Moufi, a Torontonian from Cameroon, said she also noticed slipping in some of the groups that comprise her compatriots from Cameroon.

As a national from Cameroon and on social networks right now, there are many tribal exchanges going on. […] Fortunately, in our community in Ontario and especially in Toronto, we do not experience these tribes, She directs.

In most cases, messages promoting racial and tribal hatred are influenced by the socio-political context of countries of immigrant origin, Nike Moufi said.

Diasporas are called to play their role

Professor Destiny Techovali called on members of the Diaspora not to broadcast malicious messages to groups of members on WhatsApp or Facebook.

For example, with WhatsApp it warns Messages go so fast that sometimes we can’t go back to the source . Destiny Techovali adds that the effect of some diasporas gives credibility to messages to some unknown people.

The risk is when certain messages act as a relay without measuring their v image and especially when we are in an influential or leader position in some communities. It’s [ le message partagé ] It probably affects a lot of people who are very viral and lack perspective , He he said.

African ethnocultural communities in Canada have a role to play in seeing their native communities not only by helping to revive tensions, but by playing a calmer role.

More control and awareness

To curb the spread of messages of a tribal nature, Destiny Techovali recommended strengthening regulatory mechanisms through social networks.

We need more control to have a more important moderation approach on social networks. Facebook launches cleanup by setting up tools to detect malicious and malicious content , He explains.

Destiny Techovali believes that setting up online hate observatories can help.

Photo: Associated Press / Patrick Season

Between October and December 2020, Facebook moderated nearly 27 million content. The quarterly transparency report from the web giant is 0.10% malicious.

In addition, Destiny Tehovali suggests that Canadians be sensitive about mutual cultural dialogue and living together.

We often take into account that there is social cohesion in the context of coexistence of many cultures and that people are willing to be tolerant, without allowing others to learn what they are, their values ​​and its cultural references. , He adds.

Finally, Professor Techovali thinks it is necessary Some states grant authors of malicious messages without falling into the drift of censorship that applies to social media.

To curb hate online, Canada is working to amend its criminal code, the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Youth Criminal Justice Act. The Department of Justice said in a statement that a bill was introduced in Parliament last month.

Online hate turns into offline hate and has devastating effects on communities and families , Said in a press release.

In Cameroon, the government is seriously considering the spread of hate speech, which has been conducting a national awareness campaign against hate speech and xenophobia since March.

May, Kibwe Ngoi-Ntombe living in Kiloway, In British Columbia, has been accused of inciting hatred against people living in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Complaints against Kibwe Ngoi-Ntombe spread online, with a man threatening Katanga residents DRCDemocratic Republic of Congo. However, Kibwe Ngoyi-Ntombe told Radio-Canada that Canada had abused its authority and attacked freedom of expression.