Science podcast highlights hate speech and digital democracy!

Science podcast highlights hate speech and digital democracy!

On August 20, 2025, the new science podcast “WISSENsfunken” will be presented, which deals with the emergence of scientific knowledge and its effects. The podcast is available on all common platforms and will be published monthly. The first episode is dedicated to the topic of hate speech on the internet and presents Prof. Dr. Teresa Naab, who researches the role of social media in democracy and the phenomenon of “silencing”. “Silencing” is the withdrawal of people from public discourse because they are afraid of online hatred or exclusion. Fabio Kratzmaier, editor for research communication, leads through the first episode.

With this podcast, the University of Mannheim has created a format that is intended to strengthen the exchange between science and society. This step is part of the “More SCIENCE” series, which builds a bridge between academic knowledge and the general public. Details of further consequences and information can be found on the university website. The contact person for further information is Dr. Maartje Koschorreck, Deputy Head of Communications and Press Spokesperson at the University of Mannheim.

Hate speech and its effects

Hate speech is a key aspect covered in the new podcast. Social media has made it possible for users to put issues on the public agenda that are often ignored by traditional media. This change has both positive and negative consequences, especially since incivility in the digital space often hinders the exchange of ideas. Insults, threats and polarization are just as common as strategic approaches aimed at dividing social groups. The Cambridge Analytica scandal, which popularized topics such as microtargeting and social bots, is just one example of the dark side of digital communication.

Research shows that there has been an increase in digital attacks on political actors in recent years. A survey of 818 participants from Germany and Austria showed that the pressure, especially on elected representatives, is higher in the digital space than in real life. The results of the study also show that the frequency of digital attacks is increasing in larger cities.

Strategies against hate speech

To combat hate speech and incivility, laws such as the Network Enforcement Act in Germany and the Digital Service Act in the EU have emerged. Modern approaches aim to combine legal, technological and educational measures. Nevertheless, counter-speech and individual action have often proven to be ineffective. Collective actions that increase awareness of social diversity prove to be more effective in the fight against hate speech.

In such contexts, media literacy is essential to identify and combat problematic content. Promoting a respectful culture of discussion and access to a deliberative public are essential. These principles enable all voices to be heard and arguments to be made with a view to the common good.

The “COUNTERFAKE” project, led by Prof. Dr. Müller-Török, all aims to provide technical and legal foundations for combating hate speech and fake news. It worked with partners from several international universities to formulate a comprehensive concept for strengthening digital civil society.

The first episode of “WISSENsfunken” not only deals with the problem of hate speech and its impact on democratic discourse, but also the urgent need to promote social cohesion in an increasingly polarized digital world. Further information on the important topic and the new podcast can be found on the respective websites of the University of Mannheim and in the context of current research on hate speech and digital illiteracy.