About Dr. Murni Wan Mohd Nor

About Murni Wan Mohd Nor

Dr Murni Wan Mohd Nor holds a PhD in Law, focused on the issue of hate speech, the harms it brings, and the need for specific legislation. Her current research interests extend to Islamophobia, and media representation on racial and religious issues.

Dr Murni has held consultancies on human rights and hate speech-related projects, such as The Centre’s research on “Developing a Framework for Hate Speech Categorisation and Response,” UNDP’s report “The Onset of a Pandemic: Impact Assessments and Policy Responses in Malaysia During the Early Months of Covid-19,” and for the Centre For Human Rights Research and Advocacy (CENTHRA)’s stakeholder’s report for the Universal Periodic Review (UPR).

Dr Murni believes that the way in which language is used, particularly when it employs hateful rhetoric, can influence the minds of the public towards hatred, radicalisation and extremism. This is explained in her publications such as, “Growing Fear of Islamisation: Representation of Online Media in Malaysia” and “Radicalisation and Paramilitary Culture: The Case of Wanndy’s Telegram Groups in Malaysia.” 

It is her hope that the usage of hate speech and its negative impact can be lessened through the introduction of a holistic framework involving a multi-stakeholder approach. As such, she is active in community work–having conducted training and advocacy programs on anti-racism education and authored a children’s book entitled “When Love Heals Hate.” It is her sincere belief that through education focused on kindness and compassion, feelings of enmity and hatred can indeed be overcome.