Rufat Hamzayev: Social media accelerates rapid spread of Islamophobic content

Social media platforms accelerate the rapid spread of Islamophobic content, Rufat Hamzayev, Executive Director of AnewZ TV, stated at the international conference themed “Islamophobia in Focus: Unveiling Bias, Shattering Stigmas” in Baku, Report informs.

Hamzayev noted that algorithmic recommendations often expose users to similar content:

"Social media platforms accelerate the rapid spread of Islamophobic content. Platforms like Facebook and YouTube have been repeatedly criticized for their role in the rapid spread of hate speech."

According to him, considering the existing problems, media responsibility increases even more: "Historically, predominantly Muslim countries, including Azerbaijan, have often been negatively portrayed with stereotypes, allegedly being violent or intolerant. This has led and continues to lead to the spread of misconceptions and the prevention of intercultural understanding."

Hamzayev believes that solving these complex problems requires a comprehensive approach:

"Education and increasing media literacy can play a significant role in these issues. It is essential to equip users with critical analysis skills. This helps them distinguish reliable information from disinformation, ensuring they are more resilient against biases."

"Today, it is important to remain committed to strong awareness programs on artificial intelligence, international cooperation in digital regulation, and active promotion of interfaith dialogue," he added.