Counter Speech: Practices of Contradiction on Hate Speech and their Effects (DeZIM)

This paper examines hate speech and counter-speech practices in the media, drawing on the speech act theory and the theory of communicative action. The controversy surrounding author Oriana Fallaci and her anti-Semitic essay “The Rage and the Pride,” which was released a few weeks following the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center Twin Towers in New York City in 2001, serves as an example of these kinds of behaviors. Every article regarding the case that appeared in the Italian press was subjected to a content analysis (n = 74) for the analysis. Results demonstrate many contradiction tactics as well as the limitations of counterarguments by addressing the issue, which instead of disproving hate speech polarizes people.

https://www.dezim-institut.de/en/publications/publication-detail/counter-speech-practices-of-contradiction-on-hate-speech-and-their-effects/