Fighting Hate and Bigotry on the Internet

Abstract

Internet hate speech is a specific type of online content that is designed to threaten certain groups publicly and act as propaganda for offline organizations. Hate groups use websites for sharing ideology, propaganda, linking to similar sites, recruiting new converts, advocating violence and threatening others. This article analyzes the ways hate speech on the Internet can be countered. From the perspective of applied ethics, it discusses the issue in the context of moral and social responsibility, a neglected perspective in the New Media literature. The study discusses the targets of hate on the Internet, provides a framework within which problems can be identified and resolved by accentuating moral and social responsibility, and articulates possible policy solutions to combat this increasing problem.

Taking North American White Supremacist Groups Seriously: The Scope and the Challenge of Hate Speech on the Internet

“…Previously, I have defined hate speech as 'a bias-motivated, hostile, malicious speech aimed at a person or a group of people because of some of their actual or perceived innate characteristics' (CohenAlmagor 2011). Hate speech expresses 'discriminatory, intimidating, disapproving, antagonistic and/or prejudicial attitudes toward those characteristics, which include sex, race, religion, ethnicity, colour, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation' (Cohen-Almagor 2011). Hate speech is intended to 'injure, dehumanize, harass, intimidate, debase, degrade, and victimize the targeted groups, and to foment insensitivity and brutality against them' (Cohen-Almagor 2011 …”

Education of Young People and Children as a Way of Fighting Against Internet Hate, a Form of Cyber Violence

“…Thus, hate may take the form of images (these can be memes, pictures) or movie clips with appropriate commentary. It appears, then, that when it comes to hate, only the sky's the limit [11].…”

Hate Sayings in Online Newspapers’ Reader Comments: Reina Attack Example

“…Kimi zaman tahrik unsurları da içeren nefret söyleminde hedef gruba yönelik yoğun bir saldırıdan söz edilmektedir. Kışkırtmanın da hissedilebileceği nefret söyleminde kimi zaman yıkıcı mesajların, uzlaşma için gerekçeler aramak yerine çatışmaya neden olabileceği de belirtilebilir (Almagor, 2011).…”