Prioritising free speech above the harms that extreme speech may cause has dominated the moderation strategies of social media platforms. Note: This piece was originally published at Scroll.in as part of a series on Extreme Speech Online, edited by Sahana Udupa, Elonnai Hickok, and Edward Anderson. The author thanks organisers of a workshop in… Continue reading “Debate over regulating right-wing extreme speech online must shift to harms such speech can cause”
In May 2019, the Italian government approved an anti-immigration “decreto sicurezza” (or security decree). Among other nationalist policies, the new law foresees a fine against anyone who is found transporting a migrant into the country. In response, the students of Sicilian high school teacher Rosa Maria dell’Aria produced a short video that compared the decree,… Continue reading “Is freedom of expression at stake in Italy?”
‘In a recent Reveal podcast, CARR Senior Fellow, Professor Megan Squire, talked to host Al Letson about her research on the radical right’s use of social media and the internet. As large social media platforms start to take radical right groups and influences off their platforms, Professor Squire talks about a new array of Alt Tech… Continue reading “Interview: Hate in the Home”
In banning the far right from its platform, Facebook acted like a responsible media provider. In April, Facebook announced its decision to “ban” 12 UK-based individuals and organizations linked to the radical right. Arguing that each sought to “spread hate,” Facebook explained that the decision was made on the basis that all were “individuals and organisations who… Continue reading “In Defense of Facebook’s “Ban” of the Far Right’s Dirty Dozen”
If social media is anything to go by, it is likely the number of Google searches for the lyrics to Kelis’ well-known hit, “Milkshake” will have increased dramatically. As Nigel Farage, Stephen Yaxley-Lennon (aka Tommy Robinson) and Carl Benjamin (aka Sargon of Akkad) have been repeatedly doused in milkshakes from a range of different outlets… Continue reading “Milkshaking the Radical Right: humiliation not violence”
Today reveals the results for India’s general election which took place from 11 April to 19 May. With nearly 900 million eligible voters, more than 8000 candidates and almost 500 parties, it is reported to be the largest election in history. The immensity of the election for the Lok Sabha (lower house of parliament) is… Continue reading “‘India Wins Yet Again!’ Radical Right Modi Set to Win Fresh Mandate”
On 25th – 27th April 2019, the inaugural conference of the Center for Right-Wing Studies took place at the University of California, Berkeley. This was a refreshing exchange between early career researchers and more established scholars that provided some international perspectives on right-wing movements: from conservatism to fascism, from the past to current developments. Around… Continue reading “Conference Report: Inaugural Conference on Right-Wing Studies”
The Jewish Octopus trope has 19th century roots but was most fully exploited in Nazi Germany. This article is dedicated to the memory of Paul R. Weinstein. A January issue of The Times of Israel reproduced, as an example of “recent anti-Semitic memes around George Soros,” a caricature of Soros as a tentacled monster hovering over North… Continue reading “George Soros Targeted By Anti-Semitic Meme That Predates The Nazis”
Recently, the comedian posted a crude drawing of fascist leader Benito Mussolini and his mistress, Clara Petacci – disfigured and hung upside down as they were in their deaths. For years now, Jim Carrey, known for his cartoon-like facial expressions and raucous and pointed comedy, has been sharing his own satirical art on Twitter.… Continue reading “Jim Carrey, Mussolini and the politics of comics”
Linking hate speech or extreme language with humor looks disturbing, since it is assumed that prejudice, intolerance and fanaticism are humorless per se. Memes have a frequent presence in our daily lives. They flood our timelines on different social media platforms, usually to provide us with a smile. Originally, the term “meme” was coined by… Continue reading “Memes of Hate: Countering Cyber Islamophobia”