The work we do

Reduct is an international not-for-profit NGO that seeks to reduce hate speech and misinformation online that leads to violence in Ethiopian communities. Digital technology is changing Ethiopia and the way we communicate online has become an important part of life as it has opened up huge opportunities across the country. Whether it's supporting new businesses, or opening doors for new educational opportunities, or enabling families to connect across the world. 

However, this young and vibrant online space has been hijacked by misinformation and hate speech by inside and outside actors which is causing harm to fragile and young democracies like Ethiopia. Over time these actors, advocating ethnic nationalism through trolling, misinformation and skilled advocacy of their causes has destabilised many communities, caused violence, war, ethnic terrorism and some have feared it could lead to genocide.  There are currently evidence in how social media is being used to increase ethnic tensions and there are fears from the international community such as Human Rights Watch, that this could lead to genocide.