Extremists of all kinds can be found within the realms of the worldwide data communications network. The more politically motivated users among them use the medium for spreading their propaganda in particular.
All manifestations of political extremism on the Internet have one thing in common: They pose a threat to democracy, understanding among nations, and peaceful coexistence.
Right-wing extremism
Ever since the early beginnings of the World Wide Web, right-wing extremist organisations and individuals have used the Internet for their own purposes. Political agitation, arrangements for demonstrations, mail order companies specialising in skinhead paraphernalia, chat rooms, online contact networks, hate lists, Internet radio and television, etc. – anything that is technically possible is being increasingly used by right-wing extremists – both qualitatively and quantitatively.
These tools allow them attract young people in particular, because they have a special affinity with the Internet. The Internet has become one of the most important communications and propaganda instruments in the right-wing extremist scene. Especially with regard to professionalism, right-wing extremists differentiate themselves significantly from other extremist positions.
Left-wing extremism
Though not as prominent as right-wing extremism, left-wing extremist organisations are just as prevalent on the Internet. However, left-wing extremist pages are generally not designed as professionally as their right-wing counterparts; rather, they are quite inconspicuous and often display far more text than graphics.
The number of visitors is relatively low, but the published texts are still just as alarming as right-wing extremist publications. Glorification of and calls for violence, unconstitutional propaganda, bomb assembly instructions, and a wide range of other criminally punishable content are all included in the repertoire of left-wing extremist websites.
Both the propensity for violence and open hostility toward democracy are just as prevalent in the presence of left-wing extremism on the World Wide Web as with right-wing extremism. And the Internet has undoubtedly assumed an important role as a communications medium in the left-wing extremist scene today.
naiin in the fight against hate speech
The naiin initiative uncovers extreme organisations on the Internet and destroys them. The intense observation of the scenes plays a central role in this process. It is also just as important to sensitise responsible parties to the problem on an international level.
Incitement of the masses, general calls for violence, incitement to racial hatred or Holocaust denial are activities that are not punishable by law in many countries. Therefore, naiin intercedes by not only actively fighting this type of web content but also promoting transnational standards in the Internet economy.
|