MEDIA CONTENT ANALYSIS ON ONLINE HATE SPEECH National Report – GREECE Coalition of Positive Messengers to Counter Online Hate Speech Project Project reference number: JUST/2015/PRAC/AG/BEST/8931 Author: Elena Sierra Municipality of Agii Anargiri-Kamatero, Greece Athens, 2017 This publication has been produced with the financial support of the Rights, Equality and Citizenship (REC) Programme of the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of the Municipality of Agii Anargiri-Kamatero (AAK) and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Commission. Coalition of Positive Messengers to Counter Online Hate Speech - JUST/2015/PRAC/AG/BEST/8931 2 Contents Executive Summary ......................................................................................................................................... 4 1. Methodology .................................................................................................................................................. 5 1.1 Research problem and aim of the research ............................................................................... 5 1.2 Justification for the research ........................................................................................................... 5 1.3 Definitions used .................................................................................................................................... 6 1.4 Research methods ................................................................................................................................ 7 2. National context ........................................................................................................................................... 8 3. Choice of keywords ................................................................................................................................... 12 4. Choice of media outlets ........................................................................................................................... 13 5. Research findings ....................................................................................................................................... 16 5.1 Scope of the analysis ......................................................................................................................... 17 5.2 Data for 28 May to 3 June 2017 period ..................................................................................... 18 5.2.1 Kathimerini ................................................................................................................................... 18 5.2.2 Proto Thema ................................................................................................................................. 20 5.2.3 ANT1 TV ......................................................................................................................................... 22 5.2.4 Preliminary conclusions about the results for the 28 May to 3 June 2017 period ......................................................................................................................................................... 24 5.3 Data for 16 September to 16 November 2017 period......................................................... 25 5.3.1 Kathimerini ................................................................................................................................... 25 5.3.2 Proto Thema ................................................................................................................................. 29 5.3.3 ANT1 TV ......................................................................................................................................... 33 5.3.4 Preliminary conclusions about the results for the 16 September to 16 November 2016 period ...................................................................................................................... 35 5.4 Comparing Online Hate Speech in 2016 and 2017 ............................................................... 37 5.5 Comparing the selected media and the different platforms ............................................. 38 6. Conclusions................................................................................................................................................... 40 References ......................................................................................................................................................... 43 Coalition of Positive Messengers to Counter Online Hate Speech - JUST/2015/PRAC/AG/BEST/8931 3 Executive Summary Coalition of Positive Messengers to Counter Online Hate Speech Project tackles the issue of online hate speech targeted against migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in seven EU countries. It addresses the need for more effective civil society response to online hate speech through sharing and disseminating best practices and active engagement of local communities in creating and sharing powerful counter-narratives against xenophobic discourse. The media content analysis covers two periods: a two-month period in 2016, revolving a particular selected event, and a one-week period in 2017. The online media outlets (including Facebook and Twitter accounts) of three selected media (Kathimerini, Proto Thema and ANT1 TV) are monitored for the aforementioned periods with the aid for automated data search algorithm, to research the levels of online hate speech and the ways it is promoted. Getting the news from online media outlets as well commenting and sharing news are very prevalent in Greece. However, the problem of online hate speech has exacerbated in the last few years due to the general socioeconomic conditions and the arrival of large numbers of refugees in the country. At the same time, and despite the strict legal framework, the internet in Greece is largely unregulated. The present report begins with a methodology section for the report. In this section are included (a) the research problem and aim of research, (b) justifications of the research, (c) definitions used, (d) research methods. Then the national context is examined, the choice of the ten keywords is explained as is the selection of the three particular outlets. The section on the Coalition of Positive Messengers to Counter Online Hate Speech - JUST/2015/PRAC/AG/BEST/8931 4 research findings includes (a) the scope of the analysis, (b) an analysis of the Twitter and Facebook data for the three selected media outlets for the 28 May to 3 June period, (c) an analysis of the Twitter and Facebook data for the three selected media outlets for the 16 September to 16 November 2016 period, (d) some preliminary conclusions and comparisons of online hate speech in the two different periods, comparisons between the different selected media outlets and comparisons with regard to the use of different online platforms. The final section contains the conclusions of the current research. 1. Methodology 1.1 Research problem and aim of the research The research problem is defined by the main project objectives, namely to research, analyze, classify and compare levels and trends in online hate speech against migrants in the media and particularly in the social media in the project countries. The research covers the period 2016-2017. The research uses diverse relevant public resources already produced in the participating countries: such as media monitoring reports, media content analysis surveys, etc., as well as specially developed tools: automated data search algorithm, the application of which is matched with own media monitoring. 1.2 Justification for the research A number of studies on online media hate speech have been done in individual countries and across the EU, less attention has been devoted to the online hate speech “co-produced” by media and individual users: the forums with readers comments supported by the online platforms of media outlets, the social media content (with comments) of main media outlets. The increase of social media online hate speech instances against migrant and refugees in the last 2-3 years Coalition of Positive Messengers to Counter Online Hate Speech - JUST/2015/PRAC/AG/BEST/8931 5 does not necessarily go hand in hand with increase in self-regulation, legislative and law enforcement efforts. The media content analysis is complementary to the 1.1 deliverable: Mapping out the national context with assessment of the prevention and responses to hate speech incidents in each country. It aims to deepen understanding of the links between occurrences like planned political events such as elections, terrorist attacks at home and abroad, waves of refugees and certain local reactions and the levels of online hate speech. It also tries to study a sample of different popular media outlets and the environment they create for eventual online hate speech. This study and data collection has significant policy relevance for national and EU decision-makers regarding the implementation of anti-discrimination legislation and countering online hate speech initiatives. National research findings will be followed by recommendations in the comparative report targeted at the relevant stakeholders. 1.3 Definitions used The research does not aim to engage in theoretical debates on the definition of the term “hate speech” or debates on the tension between freedom of expression and hate speech. For the purposes of this study, and given the lack of a common international