People don’t commit violence against other groups - or even condone it - spontaneously. First they must be taught to see other people as pests, vermin, aliens, or threats. Malicious leaders often use the same types of rhetoric to do this, in myriad cultures, languages, countries, and historical periods. We call this Dangerous Speech. Violence might be prevented by making it less abundant or less convincing. We work to find the best ways to do this – while protecting freedom of expression.
This Wikimedia resource compiles interdisciplinary research on understanding and responding to the problem of online harassment, and serves as an excellent starting point for scholars and practitioners alike.
This brand-new introductory guide develops the concept of Dangerous Speech, illustrates why it’s useful for preventing violence, and explains how to determine which messages are indeed dangerous. We discuss how digital and social media allow Dangerous Speech to spread and threaten peace, and we conclude with methods for intervening to decrease the risk of violence.
China's clampdown on Xinjiang's Uyghur Muslims is shrouded in secrecy - but government documents, testimonies from detained Uyghurs, and officials' Dangerous Speech reveal a disturbing picture of human rights abuses.
In this German-language Der Spiegel interview, DSP executive director Susan Benesch discusses the connection between speech and violence, the Dangerous Speech of Donald Trump and the AfD, and the question: what can humor do to counter hate on the internet?
