The Global Network Initiative (GNI) is pleased to announce that the civil society organization Dangerous Speech Project (DSP) has become a GNI member. DSP works to understand speech that increases the risk of intergroup violence and diminish its harmful effects. DSP’s work is grounded in the observation that episodes of mass violence are typically preceded by a long period of increasingly dangerous speech – including speech that dehumanizes its targets or frames them as a threat to the integrity of a population. They are based in Washington, D.C., with staff in the Bay Area and Mexico City.
“We use our research to advise the tech industry, governments, and civil society on how to anticipate, minimize, and respond to harmful discourse in ways that prevent violence while also protecting freedom of expression,” said DSP Director of Operations Tonei Glavinic.
DSP has relevant experience in multistakeholder initiatives including the Internet and Jurisdiction Policy Network and the Christchurch Call Advisory Network, working alongside GNI members like the Center for Democracy and Technology and the Committee to Protect Journalists to prevent the impacts of online dangerous speech content while preserving the right to freedom of expression.
“GNI welcomes DSP’s experience engaging with different actors to reduce harmful online content and promoting international human rights law,” said GNI Executive Director Judith Lichtenberg.