The United Nations rights chief called Friday (Sunday in Manila) for concerted global efforts to rein in hate speech, including more effectively countering 'mega spreaders' of hateful and dangerous messages. Ahead of the International Day for Countering Hate Speech on Sunday, Volker Turk insisted 'multifaceted and well-resourced efforts' could help rid the world of the scourge.

'We know that the spread of hate is used by those who want to sow divisions, to scapegoat and to distract from real issues,' Turk said. Social media in particular had become 'remarkably fertile ground for hate speech, providing it with both unprecedented reach and speed,' his statement said.