“Columnists As Biggest Hate Speech Makers in Turkey”

Hrant Dink Foundation has released its quarterly report on “Hate Speech in Media and Discriminatory Discourse” for the January - April 2013 period. While an increase has been observed in the amount of hate speech content, the report revealed that hate speech targeted less groups. Columnists marked as the biggest hate speech makers in Turkey.

Consisting of 53 pages, the report has two sections. While the first section (Hate Speech in Print Media) covered extensively on content targeting religious and ethnical groups as well as women, LGBTs and other disadvantaged groups, the second section (Discriminatory Discourse in Print Media) covered extensively on BDP and HDK’s Black Sea Region Region through 4 national and 2 local newspapers.  

According to the report,

* Compared to the same period in 2012, a slight rise has been observed in the amount of hate speech. According to the report, the distribution of hate speech cases in 2012 were listed as follows: First quarter (114), Second quarter (101) and Third quarter (97). In the first quarter of 2013, 104 hate speech cases were observed. 

* Even though the number of hate speech articles have been on the rise, a slight fall was observed regarding the the number of targeted groups. Out of 17 groups who were targeted in 2013, some were not targeted more than once. 12 groups, on the other hand, have been targeted more than once. 

* 3 groups have been subjected to hate speech due to ethic background. Other targeted groups included religious background (6), national identity (4). 

* The majority of hate speech content appeared on national newspapers. Out of 104 hate speech cases, 94 (90 percent) appeared in the national media on 13 different national publications and 10 (9.61 percent) appeared in local newspapers. 

* Similarly with previous terms, it appeared that most hate speech cases were observed in columns. The distribution of different types of material with hate speech included: columns (74), news articles (27), book review (1). Under “Media Archive” category, 2 publications were cited. 

* Hate speech was mostly observed in the following national newspapers: Milli Gazete (21 publications, 20.19 percent), Ortadoğu (19 publications, 18.26 publications), Yeni Akit (13 publications, 12.5 percent), Yeni Mesaj (11 publications, 10.57 percent), Yeni Çağ (11 publications, 10.57 percent) and Anayurt (5 publications, 4.8 percent).

* The groups that attracted most hate speech included Armenians,, Jewish and Christians. As a primary or secondary figure, Greeks and Kurds have also been subjected to hate speech. 

* Hate speech cases took a dive among persons and institutions compared to national, ethnic, religious groups. However, a rise has been observed concerning hate speech toward pro-Kurdish BDP.  It was also observed that hate speech on Kurds have risen dramatically. BDP's trip to Black Sea Region marked as the most targeted event.

* The number of hate speech content cases among local media took a dive as well. However, the report cited: "Considering the incidents and the effect of coverage during BDP's trip to Black Sea Region, it can be said that the low numbers can do not point out a significant quality.” 

* 12 hate speech cases have been observed towards LGBT and women. The distribution of types of material included columnists (2), news articles (9), letter to the editor (1).   

* No changes have been observed regarding the words used to describe homosexuality. It was depicted with words like “perverted”, “deviant”. The report also reached the following conclusion on the case: “It could be said that hate speech towards LGBTs and women have found an easier way to sneak into news discourse.” (EA/BM)

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