Who Are the Perpetrators of Online Hate? A Case Study of Islamophobia
摘要
Islamophobic hate crime offenders have often been viewed in the lens of offline hate crimes, incidents and prejudice. Yet, a new emerging threat in the realm of the online offenders has meant Islamophobic hate speech has now become a new digital phenomenon. This chapter will examine this new emerging threat and examine the power of social media, anonymity and accessibility issues, which has become a popular arena for offenders who can use it, to intimidate, harass and threaten people. Just as social media remains an unregulated platform, Islamophobic offenders in the cyber space have been overlooked by policymakers, academics and wider stakeholders. Using a unique typology following a trigger event, this chapter will critique these online offenders and contextualise what their motivations are. The chapter will draw upon a content analysis and conclude with a discussion of the role of cyberspace and Islamophobic hate speech.