Zooming in on Hate

Lydia El-Khouri interviews 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.

The conversation shifts to the role of tech platforms in combating online hate. While platforms have community guidelines, Maia notes they often fail to enforce them consistently. She emphasizes the importance of the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA) in holding platforms accountable and mentions LICRA's involvement in the SafeNet project, which monitors online hate speech across Europe.

Maia underscores the impact of national laws and political contexts on the effectiveness of combating online hate, noting discrepancies between countries. She calls for greater collaboration between civil society, tech companies, law enforcement, and policymakers, using projects like SafeNet as a model for joint efforts.

Discussing the future, Maia reflects on the potential and challenges of emerging technologies like AI in the fight against online hate. She stresses the need for regulation to address biases in AI systems and the high costs of implementing such technologies for NGOs.

In closing, Maia is asked what she would do with a magic wand to solve the biggest problem in combating online hate. She envisions better training for AI and human moderators to fully understand and address all forms of hate speech.

This episode provides valuable insights into LICRA's multifaceted approach to tackling online hate and underscores the complex interplay between technology, regulation, and societal dynamics in this ongoing battle.

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.

In our interconnected world, hate speech and intolerance have become all too common, leaving many wondering: why do people hate? Delving into this pressing question, we recently sat down with Arun Mansukhani, a clinical psychologist based in Spain. Through our conversation, we explored the underlying reasons behind hate and discussed actionable steps to combat it effectively.

Arun Mansukhani brings a wealth of expertise in trauma psychology and a deep understanding of human behaviour to our discussion. He shed light on the inherent dichotomous thinking ingrained in our brains, leading us to categorise the world into in-groups and out-groups. This natural inclination, fuelled by our need for belonging, often serves as a breeding ground for intolerance.

Online anonymity amplifies these divisions, providing individuals with a shield to spew hate without accountability. Arun underscored the importance of empathy in curbing destructive behaviour, emphasising how physical closeness fosters emotional connection and understanding. However, the digital realm's lack of proximity makes it challenging to cultivate empathy, allowing hatred to flourish unchecked.

Not everyone harbours the capacity for psychopathic behaviour. While a small percentage exhibit consistent psychopathic traits, most individuals exist on a spectrum, capable of both empathy and intolerance depending on circumstances. Factors such as perceived threats, group dynamics, and emotional responses further shape one's propensity for hate.

To combat hate, Arun proposed practical strategies aimed at fostering empathy and bridging divides:

Information Dissemination: While informative, merely presenting facts often fails to sway entrenched beliefs due to cognitive biases, so we need education on a deeper level.

Public Demonstrations: Protests and public displays can empower marginalised groups but may inadvertently strengthen extreme viewpoints.

Intergroup Contact: Facilitating meaningful interactions between diverse communities fosters empathy and reduces prejudice. Building bridges and fostering understanding through dialogue and shared experiences emerge as potent antidotes to hate.

Despite the challenges posed by online hate, Arun remains optimistic about humanity's capacity for progress. He highlighted gradual advancements in civil rights, LGBTQ+ acceptance, and gender equality as testament to society's evolving attitudes. While change may be incremental, collective efforts to foster empathy and combat hate are paving the way for a more inclusive and compassionate world.

In the latest episode of "Zooming In on Hate," we are joined by Louisa Klingvall from the European Commission, recorded live at INACH's Annual Conference. The dialogue provides a nuanced exploration of the European Union's role in combatting the complex issue of online hate.

Louisa Klingvall has worked in the Fundamental Rights Unit of the European Commission DG Justice since 2012. Her main focus of work comprises fundamental rights aspects  in the Commission's Digital Single Market files. In this capacity she has been closely involved in the Commissions work on illegal content, disinformation, the Digital ServiceS Act and the Artificial Intelligence Act.  She is a team leader charged with ensuring the overall coordination of the anti-racism team and consistency of legal and policy outputs and of the team managing the Code of Conduct on Illegal Hate Speech Online. It is important to note that her views in this epidode are shared in a personal capacity, not as a representative of the European Commission.

Our conversation delves into the multifaceted nature of online hate, debunking the notion that it is an impossible concept to define. Louisa categorises it into two main types: hate speech reaching criminal law benchmarks and non-criminal forms of hate speech or stereotyping. The distinction lies in the response mechanism, with criminal forms requiring removal and prosecution, while non-criminal forms necessitate counter speech and civic engagement.

Tech companies play a crucial role in combatting online hate, with a significant focus on collaboration between platforms and civil society. Louisa highlights the success of the Code of Conduct in shaping content moderation practices. This collaborative approach has influenced the Digital Services Act (DSA), reflecting a broader societal engagement model.

The interview touches upon the influence of cultural and political contexts on the prevalence of online hate. Louisa acknowledges that manifestations are coloured by history, traditions, and political landscapes, emphasising the need for more research to understand the impact of these factors on counter policies.

Louisa also commends the relentless work of civil society in protecting victims and promoting tolerance. She sees promise in the intersection of technology with sociology, psychology, and mental health, as tech companies explore evidence-based models for effective counter-narratives.

Looking toward the future, Louisa expresses optimism about the DSA, citing its potential to strike a balance in shaping an online environment through broad societal consensus. The DSA recognises that top-down solutions are insufficient and emphasises the importance of societal engagement in addressing issues like hate speech and disinformation.

This episode provides a thought-provoking glimpse into ongoing efforts to combat online hate, showcasing the evolving strategies and collaborative approaches at the forefront of this critical battle.

Today, we are zooming in on Meaningful Compliance. We are being joined by Claire Pershan, the Mozilla Foundation’s EU Advocacy Lead, currently stationed in Brussels, Belgium. Claire brings a wealth of experience, having previously served as Policy Coordinator at the EU DisinfoLab, focusing on monitoring mis/disinformation and influence operations. Before that, she worked as a Project Manager at Renaissance Numerique, a Paris-based think tank, where her focus was on content moderation and cyberviolence. Claire has also made significant contributions to the European Commission Joint Research Center's work on Hybrid Threats in the Information Domain and served as a content expert for Internews, examining the influence of new technologies on civic space.

Many of us are familiar with Mozfest, but today, we're keen to learn more about the broader scope of work that the Mozilla Foundation undertakes. We'll explore areas of current concern, touching on vital topics such as translating legislative changes into product-level adaptations for all EU countries, browser-level blocking, and the crucial role of research in driving their mission forward.

In this episode we are joined by Rita Jonušaitė who works at EU DisinfoLab as Advocacy Coordinator. Previously Rita worked at the European Youth Forum as Policy and Advocacy Manager and prior to that at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania. At the moment Rita is also pursuing a degree in IP & ICT Law at KU Leuven university. Rita has been primarily following regulatory discussions around disinformation, including negotiations on the Digital Services Act and updated Code of Practice on Disinformation. Rita has also been looking at relevant discussions around media policy (European Media Freedom Act).

In this episode we are joined by Martin Kováč, an Old Catholic priest, theologian, and the project coordinator and programme manager of the cultural-community centre Staré Lýceum in Bratislava. He is a leader of two inclusive Christian communities in Bratislava and Trnava, has dedicated his life to human and minority rights, and is an advocate for the acceptance and rights of LGBTQI+ people. Martin is a pioneer of interfaith dialogue in Slovakia and is dedicated to the rights of religious minorities, working to change discriminatory laws.

In this episode we are joined by Benjamin Fisher, Program Director at the Alfred Landecker Foundation.

The Alfred Landecker Foundation is an incubator for
democracy in the digital age. The foundation uses technological advancements and comprehensive expertise for an open society, a contemporary remembrance of the Holocaust and other Nazi crimes and the fight against antisemitism, racism and group hatred.

Benjamin focuses on developing and implementing initiatives with a digital portfolio and on projects addressed to younger generations. Before joining the Foundation, he worked as Chief Digital Officer of the Central Welfare Board of Jews in Germany and as Public Affairs Officer of the European Jewish Congress. He was also a consultant for European NGOs in Brussels and continental Europe in the fields of public affairs, combating online hate and change management.

Benjamin served as President of the European Union of Jewish Students, representing its members in front of EU-Institutions, the OSCE and the UNHRC. In addition, he was the founding President of the German Jewish Student Union and was a scholar of the Ernst Ludwig Ehrlich Studienwerk. Benjamin sits on the boards of the World Jewish Museum, the Muslim Jewish Interfaith Coalition and several European initiatives. He studied Politics and Law in Hamburg and currently pursues a Executive MBA at Central European University in Vienna.

Our 16th episode is a very special one, focussing on online radicalisation and deradicalisation. This episode was recorded at the 6TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE “CIVIC ACTORS IN CONFLICT" hosted by PDCS on November 9th in Bratislava, Slovakia. 

Our friend Marie Heřmanová hosted a very interesting panel discussion, looking into the world of online radicalisation and de-radicalisation, discussing trends, threats and solutions to explore the current developments of online mobilisation and radicalisation, also related to the war in Ukraine.

She was joined by Julia Ebner, a Senior Research Fellow at Institute for Strategic Dialogue, specialising in far-right extremism, radicalisation, viral disinformation, conspiracy myths and terrorism prevention. 

Julia advises parliamentary working groups, security agencies and tech firms, and delivers lectures in schools and universities. She acted as a consultant on counter-terrorism for the United Nations. 

You might know her from her books The Rage: The Vicious Circle of Islamist and Far-Right Extremism, or her second book Going Dark: The Secret Social Lives of Extremists.

She was also joined by Olivier Cauberghs, a researcher at Textgain, a member of the Expert Pool of the RAN (Radicalisation Awareness Network) and CEPOL (The European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training). 

In this episode we are joined by Moussa Bourekba. He is a Research Fellow at the Barcelona Centre for International Affairs (CIDOB) and adjunct professor at Blanquerna Faculty of Communication and International Relations and at the University of Barcelona, where he teaches international relations in the MENA region, terrorism and violent radicalisation. Prior to joining CIDOB, he was junior research fellow at the European Institute of the Mediterranean (IEMed, Barcelona). He also worked as a consultant for the French Institute of International Relations (IFRI, Paris).  

At CIDOB, Moussa focuses on international relations in the MENA region, democratisation processes in North Africa, violent extremism and Islamophobia. His research also covers Islamophobia in Europe. His past projects include EU-funded FP-7 SAHWA, and several Horizon 2020 projects such as EU-LISTCO, CASCADES and BRIDGES. Moussa is completing his PhD on Spanish strategies to prevent violent extremism at the University of Barcelona.