Antisemitism on the Internet and Dark social - How hatred of Jews spreads on the net

The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe from above - Photo by Willian Justen de Vasconcellos on Unsplash

Antisemitism spreads on the internet, but it does not stay there. Rather, the internet, social media and so-called "dark socials" serve as radicalisation spaces from which perpetrators draw the "justifications for their acts". This programme by Radio LORA in Munich explores how this happens, why antisemitism still spreads so easily and how it could be effectively combated. You can replay the show here.

Radio LORA spoke with:  

• Monika Hübscher, PhD student at Haifa University in Israel. She is currently researching antisemitism in the Facebook profiles of the political party AfD (Alternative für Deutschland). She is also a research assistant at the University of Duisburg-Essen, where she is working on the research project Antisemitism and Youth. She came to the attention of LORA journalists because she co-edited an anthology called "Antisemitism on Social Media".  

• The Polisphere team, which describes itself as an advisory network, ideas lab and navigator for the modern political establishment. At the time of their conversation, the political communication experts had just made their project "Antisemitism on Dark Social" public. LORA was lucky enough to speak with Managing Director Philipp Sälhoff, Head of Digital Communication Mareile Ihde and Head of Research Gregor Bauer, who were able to present the results of their research in the digital networks and in particular the "blind spots" beyond the mass platforms. 

• Björn from love storm, a training platform against hate on the net. 

Further information: 

– Book „Antisemitsm on Social Media“ 
– https://dark-social-antisemitismus.de 
– https://love-storm.de/ 

 Founded in 1993, Radio LORA is the community radio station in Munich, Germany. As a community and as a medium, LORA Munich pushes back against discrimination, marginalisation and oppression. This commitment is both local and international. In their commitment to universal human rights, justice and a liveable environment, their programme specifically promotes and cultivates dialogue on meaningful forms of political and social resistance. 

LORA Munich is pluralistic and offers space for critical dialogue and different opinions. A clear commitment to democracy, human rights and fundamental rights is indispensable. Totalitarian statements and calls for violence have no place at LORA Munich.