Italy, Amnesty International (2024), Hatred barometer. Delegitimising dissent (Barometro dell'odio, Delegittimare il dissenso).

Country

Italy

Title

Italy, Amnesty International (2024), Hatred barometer. Delegitimising dissent (Barometro dell'odio, Delegittimare il dissenso).

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Year

2024

Publication type

Report - unofficial (CSO) data on incidents

Geographical coverage

National

Area/location of interest

Not applicable - national level

Type of Institution

Civil Society Organisation

Institution

Italy, Amnesty International

Thematic focus

Hate speech: Public incitement to hatred or violence

Groups

General population

Key findings

According to the report – at its 7th edition – the incidence of problematic online content and, in particular, of hate speech has increased. Remaining constant since 2019, in 2023 the amount of content that is offensive, discriminatory and/or hate speech grew to 15.3% (previously it stood at around 10%). Actual speech inciting hatred, discrimination and violence, exceeded 3% of the total content analysed. As in previous reports, generating the highest incidence of hate speech online is the topic of immigration. On Facebook specifically, 31 posts were mapped conveying derogatory messages concerning religious minorities, 10 representing hate speech episodes. The report does not allow for disaggregation on grounds of type of religion.

Methodology (Qualitative/Quantitative and exact type used, questionnaires etc)

The report used a mixed-method approach. 30 activists were interviewed between January and May 2024, concerning the attacks to civic space in Italy. Social media accounts are also mapped using keywords to identify possible cases of derogatory language and hate speech: 173 accounts of public persons and politicians were mapped over the course of 2023.

Sample details and representativeness

30 interviews with activists and 173 social media accounts mapped.

DISCLAIMERThe information presented here is collected under contract by the FRA's research network FRANET. The information and views contained do not necessarily reflect the views or the official position of the FRA.