Are the measures to combat online hatred effective? (Symbol image)
Image: Imago
Elisa Hoven and Thomas Hestermann studied digital hatred. Their research shows that measures against Internet hatred are effective-and refutes some hypotheses. Does the pandemic even make it more objective?
Ms. Hoven, Mr. Hestermann, you have investigated digital hatred on vetted Facebook pages in the German mass media. What is your conclusion?
Hirstman: It is a fundamental mistake to equate digital hatred with right-wing extremism. Politics often express both phenomena at the same time.
Court: This can also be seen in the title of the law: “Law against hate crimes and right-wing extremism.”
Hirstman: We are observing the right-wing digital hatred against refugees and immigrants, but at the same time, the fever curve has subsided. In 2018, this topic was still the most commented on the page we checked. 27.9% of all reviews related to it. In 2020, the attention received by this topic will be significantly reduced, about 5%. We have also observed a strong hatred of the right.If the person is specifically attacked, then AfD Ranked first, followed by the Green Party.
