A Critical Investigation of the Role of the Hate Speech Bill in Prohibiting Verbal Abuse on Social Media
CHAPTER ONE
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY OBJECTIVE
The overall goal of the research is to critically investigate the role of the hate speech bill in prohibiting verbal abuse on social media. Specifically, the study is set to;
- Investigate the causes of verbal abuse on social media.
- Investigate the negative effect of verbal abuse on social media
- Investigate if hate speech bill has reduced the rate of verbal abuse on social media.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEWED OF RELATED LITERATURE
Introduction
The nature and characteristics of hate speech is still very much uncertain in the literature. Hate speech is considered as any speech, gesture, conduct, writing or display, which could incite people to violence or prejudicial action. The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (2013:4) notes that hate speech includes: (a) all dissemination of ideas based on racial or ethnic superiority or hatred, by whatever means; (b) incitement to hatred, contempt or discrimination against members of a group on grounds of their race, colour, descent, or national or ethnic origin; (c) threats or incitement to violence against persons or groups on the grounds in (b) above; (d) expression of insults, ridicule or slander of persons or groups or justification of hatred,contempt or discrimination on the grounds in (b) above, when it clearly amounts to incitement to hatred or discrimination; and (e) participation in organizations and activities, which promote and incite racial discrimination. According to Neisser (1994:337), hate speech refers to “all communications (whether verbal, written, symbolic) that insults a racial, ethnic and political group, whether by suggesting that they are inferior in some respect or by indicating that they are despised or not welcome for any other reasons”. On the other hand, Kayambazinthu & Moyo (2002) refer to hate speech as “war waged on others by means of words”. This understanding of hate speech is particularly true when it comes to hate speech on social media networks. Online hate speech is mainly characterized by the use of words and symbols. As regards motivation of hate speech, many scholars have pointed out several factors, such as lack of tolerance, political clashes, discrimination, enmity and the openness of social media as motivating hate speech online. For instance, even before the emergence of social media, Spiegel (1999 p.375) predicted that the internet will be another communication tool for racists and “hate-mongers” to spread their messages, and Nemes (2002 p.193) considered the internet a very important channel for those who want to spread messages of hatred. Witschge (2008 p.75-92) however, presented a more balanced understanding of the Web’s potentials within political communication. On the one hand, he endorses Brant’s (2008) views of a “horizontal, open and userfriendly nature of the internet”, which affords people with opportunities for greater participation in the public sphere, on the other hand however, he subscribes to Dalhberg’s (2001) counter arguments that the Web might facilitate abusive postings and even contribute in silencing some voices. Finally, Witschge argues that whether the Web enables deliberation or not, it depends on how people utilize the opportunities provided online. Stating the effects of hate speech, Leets (2002, p.223) says it violates the individual’s dignity, resulting in humiliation, distress and psychological or emotional pain. Similarly, Nemes (2002 p.220) avers that hate speech can provoke pain, distress, fear, embarrassment and isolation to individuals. While hate speech towards groups of people can bring inequality problems and isolation, it creates the feeling of fear and discourages them from participating in the community and expressing their opinions. Adding to the argument, Nielsen, (2002 p.265-280) avers that the degradation and humiliation brought by hate speech can silence the ‘victims’ and therefore reinforce existing hierarchies in society; while Parekh, (2006 p.213) says it can also lead victims to become aggressive and dangerous.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of eighty (80) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which only seventy-seven (77) were returned and validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 77 was validated for the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain a critical investigation of the role of the hate speech bill in prohibiting verbal abuse on social media. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of a critical investigation of the role of the hate speech bill in prohibiting verbal abuse on social media.
Summary
This study was on a critical investigation of the role of the hate speech bill in prohibiting verbal abuse on social media. Three objectives were raised which included: Investigate the causes of verbal abuse on social media, Investigate the negative effect of verbal abuse on social media and Investigate if hate speech bill has reduced the rate of verbal abuse on social media. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from students from Uniport, Rivers state. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).
Conclusion
We investigated social media’s effects as a forum for hate speech, which shows that social media plays an essential role in propagating hate speech. Teenagers mostly use social media to communicate with friends and families and use this medium to reproduce hate speech. Results also depict politicians using social media against their opponents to cause health problems and failure in polls. Social media users have no regards for cultural values, social norms, and Christian and Islamic values. Online hate and prejudice speeches threaten members of targeted groups. In most cases, it transforms into real-life violence, which endangers our society’s victims’ physical safety and psychological wellbeing. The fear for one’s own life is a factor that cows down many hate speech victims who could not put up active resistance. Only a handful of people are honoured to challenge online hate and are free of hate speech oppression.
Recommendations
The government should enact laws against hate speech as a crime and enshrine ways of checking the media’s unfair reporting, which ruin society.
Social media users should remember the purpose for which media houses are established for and always use them accordingly.
Adolescence youths should engage their time wisely instead of wasting their precious time on social networks like WhatsApp, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, the television and radio Stations disseminating hate speech
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