Zooming in on Hate

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Zooming in on Hate

In Zooming in on Hate, we dive into the complex world of hate speech and disinformation, connecting with leading voices from law enforcement, academia, civil society, policy, tech, and platforms. Together, we explore the causes, real-world impacts, and innovative solutions to make online spaces safer and more transparent.

5 DAYS AGO

#30 From social media to the streets (and back again)

How does online hate fuel real-world violence? And how do offline events feed back into the digital space, amplifying division? In this episode of Zooming in on Hate, we explore the dangerous cycle between social media and the streets, where online disinformation and hate speech can spill over into riots, attacks, and public unrest. We take a deep dive into the Amsterdam riots, where online narratives rapidly escalated tensions, and examine how similar patterns played out in the UK riots of 2024, fuelled by misinformation on platforms like X and Telegram. Through data-driven analysis and a powerful interview with Iman Atta, Director of Tell MAMA UK, we break down the role of disinformation, political rhetoric, and online platforms in amplifying hate. And as always, we ask—what can be done? With the Digital Services Act (DSA) now in force, will regulation be enough to break this cycle, or do we need more? Join us as we unpack the real-world consequences of digital hate and discuss what’s next for online accountability.

41 min
24 JAN

#29 The state of the DSA

How do we create safer, more transparent online spaces? Is the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) the solution the world has been waiting for? And what impact is it already having on the digital landscape? In this episode of Zooming in on Hate, we explore the state of the DSA—Europe’s ambitious framework to hold platforms accountable for online hate, disinformation, and illegal content. We discuss its early successes, like the drop in toxicity on mainstream platforms, and examine the challenges still ahead, particularly on fringe platforms. With insights from civil society organisations and a special interview with Daniel Heller of CEJI, this episode unpacks the DSA’s potential to change how we interact online. From its risk assessment requirements to the rise of trusted flaggers, we delve into what the DSA means for social media, civil society, and everyday users like you. Join us as we assess the progress, highlight the hurdles, and look ahead to the future of online regulation. Whether you’re a policymaker, activist, or just someone who spends too much time online, this episode has something for you.

34 min
20/09/2024

Episode 28: Moonshot

We are joined by Teresa Barros-Bailey from Moonshot. Theresa, a project manager at Moonshot, shares insights from her diverse experiences countering violent extremism and hate. Initially focused on Salafi jihadism in Southeast Asia, Theresa has since worked on projects addressing violent Buddhist ultranationalism in Myanmar and Sri Lanka, and more recently, far-right extremism and INCEL ideology in North America. We discuss Moonshot’s interventions, such as working with local partners to offer psychosocial support to individuals engaging with extremist ideologies. These efforts have been successful in connecting at-risk individuals to resources, preventing further radicalisation. Theresa emphasises the importance of merging online and offline strategies, highlighting that isolation, often exacerbated by events like the COVID-19 pandemic or even seasonal changes, plays a critical role in driving people towards extremism. One of the most concerning trends Theresa identifies is the rise of violent misogyny, particularly with the mainstreaming of INCEL ideology and figures like Andrew Tate. However, she also notes that this presents an opportunity for intervention, as many individuals in these communities are seeking connection and support. She also underscores the responsibility that tech companies and governments have in combating online hate, highlighting how social media platforms, particularly in countries like Myanmar, can inadvertently facilitate the spread of hate when they lack adequate content moderation. We wrap up by discussing the importance of primary prevention, particularly through gamified inoculation content like the Bad News Game, which helps young people understand and resist disinformation, and on the need for stronger commitment from governments and tech companies to uphold their policies and use their influence to shape positive societal values.

20 min
04/09/2024

Episode 27: Subjective Values Foundation

We are joined by Peter Kovács from Subjective Values Foundation, an organisation based in Hungary that was founded in 2002. Peter, who has been with the organisation for nearly six years, discusses his work as the head of the project department, focusing on providing young people with opportunities to realise creative ideas, promoting cultural diversity, and supporting education for underprivileged youth. Peter shares insights into Hungary’s online media landscape, highlighting the challenges of online hate speech and the importance of critical thinking. He emphasises that bystanders should play an active role in supporting victims of cyberbullying and hate, noting that reporting hateful content alone is not enough. Facebook is identified as one of the most problematic platforms in Hungary, with older generations perpetuating much of the online hate, whereas younger generations on platforms like TikTok are more likely to intervene and stand up for victims. Peter also discusses some of the impactful campaigns his organisation has run, which highlighted the experiences of Hungarian influencers from minority groups facing online hate. The campaign was a success, even winning the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Change Maker Award in 2022. Peter reflects on the crucial role influencers play in setting positive examples for young people and addressing cyberbullying. In his closing remarks, Peter shares practical advice for aspiring influencers, emphasising the importance of responsibility, critical thinking, and staying true to oneself. He also shares his wish to end anonymous online profiles, as he believes linking online identities to real-life individuals would significantly reduce trolling and hateful behaviour.

15 min
28/08/2024

Episode 26: digiQ

We are joined by Andrea Cox from Digital Intelligence. Together, we explore the work of her NGO, founded in 2017 in Slovakia, which focuses on promoting digital citizenship. Andrea emphasises the importance of using technology wisely and safely, integrating digital skills with the values needed to build a healthy society. We delve into the specific challenges Slovakia faces in combating online hate, especially the disconnect between how Slovaks perceive themselves as welcoming and the reality of hate spreading through social media. Andrea explains how online spaces, initially created around innocent hobbies, have been co-opted to promote political agendas and hate speech, highlighting the complexities of navigating these environments. Our conversation touches on the significant role education plays in addressing these issues. Andrea discusses the recent curriculum reform in Slovakia aimed at better preparing students for the digital age, though she notes that its full impact may take years to be fully realized. She shares examples of successful educational initiatives like the “Cyber for Kids” program and “Digi Peers,” which involve volunteers educating thousands of children across Slovakia on digital safety and critical thinking. Andrea underscores the importance of media literacy, critical thinking, empathy, and resilience as essential skills for resisting radicalisation and disinformation. We also discuss the impact of anonymity on online behavior, recognizing both its risks and the potential positives, such as the ability to explore identity in a safe environment. We conclude the episode with Andrea advocating for multi-stakeholder collaboration, emphasising that no single group—whether civil society, tech companies, law enforcement, or policymakers—can tackle these issues alone. She shares her vision for a world where empathy is nurtured through games, books, and collaborative activities, which she believes could play a crucial role in reducing hate speech.

27 min
25/07/2024

Episode 25: Fighting Online Antisemitism

Disclaimer This podcast was recorded before October 7, 2023, and does not reflect the events that occurred on, and after this date. In this episode, we are joined by Tomer Aldubi from FOA (Fighting Online Anti-Semitism). Tomer provides an overview of FOA’s work, highlighting its efforts to combat online anti-Semitism since its establishment. FOA focuses on monitoring and removing anti-Semitic content across various online platforms and training volunteers to report harmful content. Tomer discusses the intersection of online hate with societal issues such as political events and social crises. He emphasises the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration, involving social media platforms, governments, NGOs, and other organisations to effectively combat online hate. He shares FOA’s innovative approach, including training volunteers from diverse backgrounds and focusing on lesser-known platforms where harmful content often goes unnoticed.

18 min
31/05/2024

Episode 24: LICRA's Work in France

In this episode we are joined by Maia Feijoo from LICRA, the International League Against Racism and Anti-Semitism. Maia provides an overview of LICRA's work in France, highlighting its longstanding history since its inception in 1927, initially focused on anti-Semitism before expanding to combat all forms of racism. LICRA's activities include educational trainings in schools and police academies, legal support for victims of racism and anti-Semitism, and corporate trainings. Maia discusses the intersection of online hate with societal issues such as political events and social crises. She cites examples like the French presidential elections and the migrant crisis in Lampedusa, which saw significant spikes in online hate speech. She also highlights the role of algorithms in perpetuating hate, as they tend to amplify the content users engage with, creating a harmful feedback loop.

17 min
04/04/2024

Episode 23: INACH special - Image-Based Sexual Violence

In this episode we delve into the issue of image-based sexual violence with special guests Andrea Powell and Inês Marinho. Both guests are part of the Reclaim Coalition, a collective endeavour aimed at combating online image-based sexual violence. In the conversation, Andrea and Inês share their personal experiences as survivors and discuss the challenges and initiatives in addressing this pervasive problem. They highlight the lack of awareness, ineffective legal frameworks, and the normalisation of online misogyny as key obstacles. Despite these challenges, they also shed light on positive developments, such as increasing legislative efforts, innovative tech solutions, and growing recognition of survivor advocacy. The episode underscores the importance of consent, education, and community engagement in creating a safer online environment for everyone.

34 min

In Zooming in on Hate, we dive into the complex world of hate speech and disinformation, connecting with leading voices from law enforcement, academia, civil society, policy, tech, and platforms. Together, we explore the causes, real-world impacts, and innovative solutions to make online spaces safer and more transparent.

Creator

EOOH.eu
Years Active

2022 - 2025
Episodes

30
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© EOOH.eu
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Zooming in on Hate