2024 in Action: Combating Hate and Empowering Voices
Photo by Viridiana Rivera:
2024 has been a year of challenges and resilience. In the aftermath of October 7th, the world witnessed a surge in anti-religious rhetoric and online hate which only served to deepen societal divides and polarisation amongst various communities. But amid this wave of hostility, Get the Trolls Out worked diligently to counter hate with facts, compassion, and empowerment. From exposing disinformation to amplifying diverse voices, our efforts in 2024 have contributed to turning this difficult year into one of meaningful reflection and progress, proving that even small steps can help shape a better path forward.
The year began with our partners meeting in Berlin in February 2024, where the Get the Trolls Out! team came together to reflect, strategise, and plan for the challenges ahead. This gathering provided an opportunity to share insights on patterns of hate speech and media bias across our countries of operation, discuss recurring challenges, and chart a collaborative way forward.
Throughout the year, our partners continued their dedicated media monitoring of both online and traditional outlets, identifying problematic narratives and responding with letters to editors, critiques of harmful reporting, and invitations for constructive dialogue. Building on their findings, they also authored articles and analyses that delved into the trends of hate speech, often linked to political climates and local contexts, shedding light on the media’s role in shaping public discourse. Alongside this, GTTO partners came together to produce a media coverage on the Israel-Gaza conflict across GTTO countries of operation.
This year was equally marked by important partnerships and collaborations under various campaigns. Some of the highlights include our celebration of Refugee Week in June with our “Echoes of Hope,” campaign. In collaboration with Compass Collective, we asked young migrants to share their unique perspectives on “home” through powerful photography and words. Their images showcased resilience, joy, and hope, offering touching glimpses into their lives.
In response to the rise in antisemitism and anti-Muslim hate following October 7th and the Israel-Gaza conflict, Get the Trolls Out! partnered with the Forum for Discussion of Israel and Palestine (FODIP) to promote interfaith dialogue. Together, they hosted a workshop on faith and mental health with young people from Muslim, Jewish, and Christian backgrounds, followed by a smaller discussion on the conflict’s impact on well-being. The collaboration also produced two articles by young Jewish and Muslim writers reflecting on their experiences, as well as a blog from FODIP on social media’s role in shaping religious perspectives. This effort forms part of MDI’s “Shared Voices” campaign, which will include two podcasts exploring interfaith dialogue.
Following the riots in the UK in August, Get the Trolls Out! launched the campaign “Call It for What It Is” to tackle the spread of far-right narratives and misinformation across Europe. This initiative included a series of articles and social media posts examining how misinformation fuels real-life hatred. Partners in Poland, Germany, and France analyzed their national media's coverage of the UK riots, uncovering how these narratives were shaped and their broader implications, particularly in perpetuating anti-Muslim sentiment. The campaign highlights the critical need to challenge harmful reporting and its role in amplifying prejudice.
With the rise and use of Artificial Intelligence as both a force for good and evil, GTTO launched a campaign “AI and Disinformation” including social media posts and podcasts to tackle the growing issue of AI and its impact on misinformation found in traditional and modern media platforms. We hosted an insightful panel discussion examining AI's transformative impact on media and democracy. Featuring experts Krisztina Stump (European Commission), Dieter Brockmeyer (Diplomatic World Institute), and Carina Schuster (ForbesContributor), the event explored AI’s role in content creation, fact-checking, and news curation. It highlighted how technology is reshaping democratic values and discourse.
As November marked Islamophobia Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness of anti-Muslim hate and stand in solidarity with affected communities, GTTO carried out a fun and youth-centric social media campaign called “Take Care of Your Hate.” The campaign introduced a fictional beauty range called ‘Kareem’, cleverly using creativity to spark conversations about anti-Muslim hate. This unique approach resonated with audiences, driving significant online engagement and encouraging young people to reflect on and challenge stereotypes. We also hosted an impactful in-person workshop in London, bringing together young boys, community leaders, and experts to tackle anti-Muslim hate. The event encouraged open discussions about combating hate speech and we distributed our special ‘How to be an ally’ booklet to the participants.
Alongside this, GTTO also launched its podcast Spotify page covering important discussions surrounding the intersection of anti-migration discourse and anti-Muslim sentiments alongside our conversation on faith, understanding and action with Jonny Newton from the Community Security Trust (CST).
As we wrap up another impactful year with Get the Trolls Out!, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported our mission to combat religious hate speech and misinformation. Together, we have and continue to stand against intolerance and discrimination.
As we look to the year ahead, we remain committed to amplifying voices of diversity, holding platforms accountable, and empowering communities to challenge hate in all its forms.
Let’s continue to build momentum, inspire action, and make 2025 a year of even greater impact.
