Hate Speech: Strategy to Win Elections

On October 25, 2018, European Union and the United Nations Development Program presented mid-term results of media monitoring of the 2018 presidential election, and as Deputy Resident Representative of the UNDP in Georgia - Munkhtuya Altangerel, said the use of hate speech prevails in the pre-election period, especially in the print and online media. He also admitted that the quality of TV information is quite good and the coverage of presidential candidates is balanced.

"United Nations Development Program and the European Union have been carrying out the monitoring of electoral programs since 2010. Our main task is to support free media, as well as a strong civil society. With regard to this particular monitoring, I would like to tell you that a very positive trend is that media professionalism increasing in Georgia from election to election and the election coverage is more professional and balanced. Another interesting trend is that the problem remains in the print and online media in terms of the use of hate speech – it still exists and prevails.

In addition, the quality of TV news improved, but we still cannot see an in-depth analysis of election programs of presidential candidates in the media, though it is very important and also an opportunity for development of the Georgian media. We will be happy to support this development in the future “– said Munkhtuya Altangerel.

Hate speech is a serious issue in the pre-election period and it was underlined several times by different organizations. It should be notified that hate speech is often used by presidential candidates, for example on October 22,2018 Media Development Foundation has published the report that shows that hate speech is intensively used by political subjects against the presidential candidates and political parties. The report showed that presidential candidates made 49 discriminatory statements, and leader in this point is Kakha Kukava, presidential candidate from “Free Georgia”. The second place took Shalva Natelashvili, the candidate from Labors Party, he made 6 xenophobic, 2 homophobic and 1 Turkophobic statement.

Candidates attacking vulnerable groups in their statements are trying to win support from the conservative part of Georgian society, so, it seems that hate speech is a part of strategy or tool for some presidential candidates to get votes.

The problem of hate speech underlined several times by the independent candidate Salome Zurabishvili. On media briefing held on October 11, 2018, she said that hate speech was used against her several times during the pre-election period and she noted it is unacceptable.

“Hate speech is unacceptable and I want to call for peace among all presidential candidates, as confrontation will bring nothing good. Hate speech is not the strategy that politicians use in normal, civilized countries," said Salome Zurabishvili.