Hate Propaganda

Hate propaganda demonizes a certain group as the “other”, claims that this group is planning to dominate society, or that it is plotting to physically annihilate pro-government or other groups. Hate propaganda instils fear among the population, exhorts the killing of members of the targeted group and depicts the situation as “kill or be killed” (a zero-sum game). It serves as a clear warning sign of the atrocities to come.

Examples: Read MIGS Occaisonal Papers: “Radio Propaganda and Genocide” by Professor Frank Chalk; “Kenya: Violence, hate speech and vernacular radio” by Keith Sommerville

Omissions of Key Information from News Broadcasts

Governments can omit key details or obligations stemming from peace and conflict reduction agreements and can refuse to broadcast news programs aiming towards bridge-building between two groups.

Examples: Read Frank Chalk and Daneille Kelton chapter on "Mass-Atrocity Crimes in Darfur and the Response of Government of Sudan Media to International

Pressure".

Increasing Government Control over the Distribution of News

Through strict information management and monopolization of news sources, the government controls and narrows the availability of information to their population.

Examples: "Sudan bans BBC Arabic, tightens grip on the press", Committee to Protect Journalists

Novel, Participatory Media

Talk radio and phone-in shows are ideal tools for diffusing hate propaganda, often winning a large listenership by engaging the audiences in inciting hatred of another group.

Examples: Radio-Télévision des Milles Collines (RTLM) in Rwanda played a major role in encouraging citizens to take part in the 1994 genocide. Read transcripts of RTLM’s broadcasts, as well as other Rwandan radio stations. See also our Radio Broadcasting Information Page.

Small-scale, Targeted Killings

Reports of small-scale killings targeting victims on the basis of their ethnicity, race, nationality, religion, political view or social class are clear warning signs that more widespread mass atrocity crimes may come.

Examples: Such examples are clear throughout our Media Monitoring reports, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zimbabwe.

To learn more about the role of the media in the early warning of genocide, crimes against humanity, ethnic cleansing and serious war crimes, listen to presenters at MIGS and Human Rights & Democracy's International Conference "Radio Wars: Breaking the waves of hate, turning the tide towards peace" (13-15 May 2007).