Commissioner for Administration and Protection of Human Rights Maria Stylianou Lottidi has stressed that hate speech and misinformation must not be allowed to become normalised in public discourse.
Speaking on the occasion of an ongoing information and awareness campaign launched by her office, Lottidi said the initiative aims to send a clear message that “misinformation and hate speech must stop.”
The campaign, which began in June, is being implemented by the Office of the Commissioner for Administration and Human Rights and features new awareness interventions every two months.
Lottidi described it as a multifaceted effort designed to highlight the dangers of toxic online behaviour and divisive rhetoric, particularly on social media. She noted that the campaign intensified during the pre-election period and continues with new initiatives.
During the summer months, posters carrying anti–hate speech messages were displayed in public spaces and on billboards across the island. Although these have since been removed, the campaign continues through printed materials distributed to government agencies and digital outreach on social media.
“This is a pan-European phenomenon being addressed at the European level,” Lottidi said, adding that the Cypriot campaign has already received positive feedback from abroad. The initiative is being carried out in cooperation with Equinet, the European Network of Equality Bodies, and has been recognised as a good practice by Cyprus’ international partners.
While there is no formal cooperation with ministries, Lottidi noted a strong institutional response, with several public services — including the Cyprus Police — helping to spread the campaign’s messages through their own channels.
“The support from other agencies has been encouraging,” she said, emphasizing that her office will continue monitoring the campaign’s impact and enhance its effectiveness with further stages planned every two months.
( Source: CNA)
