Early Warning System in Combatting Fake News and Hate Speech Project (Sahne)

Combating Sexist and Discriminatory Language in News: New Opportunities in 'Good Journalism'

IPS Communication Foundation/bianet, as part of the “Early Warning System for Combating Fake News and Hate Speech” (SAHNE) project by the Turkey Europe Foundation, has prepared a report titled “Hate Speech in the Turkish Print Media” and a mini guide titled "How would bianet report it?" to promote good journalism.

The report, written by Yasemin Korkmaz, exemplifies the importance of combating hate speech in the media. It analyzes hate speech in national and local newspapers in Turkey between November 2023 and March 2024.

Additionally, journalist Semra Kardeşoğlu rewrote five pieces selected by the project advisory board from the analyzed articles in different themes to promote good journalism.

This text, edited by Vecih Cuzdan, the Managing Editor of bianet, and titled “How Would bianet Report Them?”, continues the “Hate Speech in Print Media in Turkey” report. The news articles are written with a rights-based approach and a peace language perspective, free of sexist language.

Methodology

During this four-month period, a total of 80 issues from five local (Mersin Newspaper - Mersin, Olay Newspaper - Bursa, Günebakış - Trabzon, Yeni Asır - İzmir, Gazete Ekspres –Antep) and five national (Yeni Şafak, Sabah, Sözcü, Karar, Yeni Yaşam) newspapers were reviewed.

In the newspaper review, keywords were used to identify hate speech targeting national, ethnic, religious identities, immigrants and refugees, and LGBTI+s. The keyword list included the most targeted identities in Turkey, as well as insults and derogatory expressions associated with these identities:

“Afghan, Alevi, Arab, Atheist, Headscarf, Western, Gypsy, Armenian, Yazidi, Non-Muslim, Infidel, Reactionary, Immigrant, Crusader, Traitor, Christian, Islam, Infidel, Kurd, Liberation, Refugee, Jew, Muslim, Pakistani, Greek, Roma, Genocide, Syrian, Shiite, Turk, Enemy of Turks, Jew, Yazid, Bigot, Gay, Lesbian, Transvestite, Transsexual, Homosexual, LGBTI, LGBTI+, Deviant, Pedophile, Pervert, Fag, Woman, girl, lady, miss, mother, grandmother, harassment, rape, assault, violence against women, abuse, frenzy, femicide, husband, wife.”

We emphasize that the language used in the media is not independent of social life, and that discriminatory language in the media further increases polarization in society, thus carrying a great responsibility. We hope this study raises awareness of the media’s role in producing discriminatory discourse and contributes to the spread of a rights-based news language.

Funded by the European Union and conducted by the Turkey Europe Foundation (TAV), SahNe (Early Warning System in Combatting Fake News and Hate Speech) project aims to develop early warning mechanisms to inform the public and relevant stakeholders about the negative impacts of hate speech and fake news.

CLICK HERE: Hate Speech in Turkish Print Media & How Would bianet Report Them?