Cyprus lawmakers discuss legal frameworks for online hate speech

Lawmakers in Cyprus are discussing the development of a comprehensive legal framework to address online hate speech while protecting freedom of expression. During a meeting of the House human rights committee, officials highlighted the designation of the University of Technology (Tepak) as the country’s first certified ‘trusted flagger’ for online hate speech. Working with the Mediterranean Digital Media Observatory, Tepak will serve as a central hub for reporting suspected hate speech, with its reports receiving priority during investigations.

Legislators noted significant gaps in existing laws, pointing out that the current Press Law dates back to 1989 and does not account for the internet. Proposals include the creation of an observatory to track hate speech and a digital platform for the police to allow citizens to monitor the progress of their complaints. Experts warned that legal frameworks must avoid ‘one size fits all’ approaches to account for the differences between traditional media and social media platforms.