Fostering Civil Discourse and Media Literacy: Governor Josh Shapiro's Call to Action Against Political Violence
Governor Josh Shapiro addressed the issue of political violence at the 2025 Eradicate Hate Global Summit in Pittsburgh, emphasizing the importance of media literacy and trust in government institutions. He recounted a personal experience when his residence was set on fire and highlighted the impact of political violence on society. Shapiro stressed that civil discourse is essential for progress and condemned all forms of political violence, citing recent incidents targeting political figures.
Shapiro called for more speech as a response to speech one disagrees with, stating that democracy thrives when more voices are heard. He urged lawmakers to denounce political violence unequivocally and emphasized the need to combat hate speech online. The governor and his wife have requested the Pennsylvania Department of Education to develop a digital literacy toolkit to help parents educate their children about navigating the online world.
Shapiro acknowledged the lack of faith in institutions among younger Americans and the influence of online platforms in spreading violence. He called for a collective effort to address real issues and restore public trust in government. The governor emphasized the importance of active participation in shaping a better society and urged everyone to play their part in promoting a culture of respect and understanding.