Misinformation, Disinformation and Hate Speech
Researchers at MediaLab, under the leadership of Daniel Catalan, have commenced an ambitious project through a contract with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and funds from the Directorate General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) in the European Commission. This project was formalised through a contract between UNHCR and Madrid University Carlos III in December 2023. The interdisciplinary team at MediaLab aimed to address the critical issues of misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech on digital platforms, specifically targeting their impact on protection and displacement.
The project focused on improving our knowledge in this field to:
Better understand, mitigate, and help prevent the harmful impact of misinformation, disinformation and hate speech on digital platforms on protection and displacement
Identify preferred means of communication to obtain information and assess the level of trust and effectivity of Communication with Communities (CwC) initiatives in place.
Strategic Initiative to Combat Hate Speech and Disinformation for Refugee Protection
The overarching objective of the project is to develop a strategic plan to mitigate and reduce the adverse effects of hate speech and disinformation on digital media. This strategy aimed to reduce xenophobia against refugees and migrants, and enhance the effectiveness of Communication with Communities (CwC) initiatives. Key objectives of the project included providing a comprehensive understanding of how misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech manifest on digital platforms and their offline impacts. The research assessed the repercussions on the lives of refugees and migrants, as well as on the operations of UNHCR and other humanitarian agencies. Furthermore, the project aims to identify the preferred means of communication evaluating the trust and effectiveness of current efforts and exploring potential mechanisms to extend their reach.
MediaLab's involvement in this project is a critical step towards understanding and countering the harmful effects of digital misinformation and hate speech in our current society. By identifying effective communication strategies and fostering greater trust, the project aspired to create a safer and more informed environment for refugees and migrants. This collaboration with the UN system underscores the vital role of academic research in addressing global humanitarian challenges and supporting the mission of UNHCR in protecting vulnerable populations.
Project Activities
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Social Listening: Monitor digital platforms to track trends in misinformation and hate speech.
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Traditional Media Analysis: Examine media coverage related to refugees and migrants in mainstream outlets.
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Stakeholder Interviews: Conduct in-depth interviews with key stakeholders to gather insights.
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Public Survey: Survey the general public to measure perceptions, trust, and information sources.
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Social Experiment: Implement an experiment to test the effectiveness of various communication strategies.
The main deliverables are:
1. Capacity building for:
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Influencers/journalists
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Partner organisations
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UNHCR staff
2. Recommendations
3. 2-years action plan
The Team
The project unites an interdisciplinary team from MediaLab, including experts in digital media, communication, and humanitarian studies. Collaborating with UNHCR and supported by ECHO, the team focuses on combating misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech to protect refugees and migrants.
