The Consequences of Right-Wing Extremism on the Internet

Anti-Defamation League ^ | unknown | ADL

[mgist]

The Consequences of Right-Wing Extremism on the Internet

Creating Electronic Community of Hate

The Internet has provided the means for those on the far-right to create an "electronic community of hate."

There are three important, measurable respects in which the "electronic community of hate"  strengthens  the work of right-wing extremists offline. The Internet 

• provides instant and anonymous access to propaganda that inspires and guides criminal activity  
• helps more effectively coordinate their activities  
• offers new ways to make money

These consequences of right-wing extremism on the Internet should be of concern to us all.

Online, racists, anti-Semites, and anti-government extremists can reach a much larger audience than ever before. Anyone using the Internet may inadvertently be exposed to hate online.

Though gauging the affect of extremist material on the vast population of Internet users presents enormous difficulties, substantial information does exist about a small subset of this group: right-wing extremists. 

In the Internet age, these extremists can communicate with thousands of their compatriots with the click of a mouse.
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The Internet has provided the far-right fringe with formerly inconceivable opportunities. Online, racists, anti-Semites, and anti-government extremists can reach a much larger audience than ever before and can more easily portray themselves as legitimate. 

Anyone using the Internet may inadvertently be exposed to hate online. When uninformed or easily influenced people – particularly children – come across hate propaganda, they can fall prey to its deceptive reasoning and adopt hateful beliefs themselves, sometimes going so far as to act on what they have read.

Gauging the affects of online hate on this vast population of Internet users presents enormous difficulties. No reliable measurement has been taken of the number of Internet users who find and read hateful material online. Nor can one safely generalize about the ways in which this material affects the beliefs and actions of those who read it. Yet there is a subset of this enormous group of Internet users about whom substantial information does exist: known, active, right-wing extremists.

Though the number of active right-wing extremists is relatively small, the harm they can cause is significant. By spreading their views, racists, anti-Semites, and anti-government "patriots" encourage and sustain prejudice in the mainstream. In addition, these extremists are often ready to break the law in support of their beliefs.

The Internet has provided the means for extremists to create an "electronic community of hate." In the Internet age, extremists are no longer isolated from others who share their beliefs. Now, they can communicate with thousands of their compatriots with the click of a mouse, from the comfort of their own homes. Just as it has benefited millions of ordinary people, the Internet has profited, connected, and inspired extremists in previously unimaginable ways.

This report will detail three important, measurable respects in which the "electronic community of hate" strengthens the work of right-wing extremists offline. First of all, the Internet has provided them with instant and anonymous access to propaganda that inspires and guides criminal activity. Secondly, it has helps them to more effectively  coordinate their activities. Finally, it offers them new ways to make money. 

These, then, are actual, measurable consequences of right-wing extremism on the Internet and should be of concern to us all.

[mgist]

I think right wingers need an anti-defamation league. Does Abraham Foxman have any idea how despised they are by the "left-wing" extremist? I see no mention of them . .

Contact: webmaster@adl.org

We have to remember that this self appointed leader in no way represents all jews.

[LibFreeUSA]

'The consquences of right-wing extremism....'

...is the hopeful demise of leftist extremism!

[Big Mack]

Why is it always the right wingers that take the heat? Why not the extreeme left wingers and their hate filled rants? Why? Why? Why?

[King Black Robe]

Such hyperbole from a group calling themsives "anti-defamation" is pretty ironic.

[BlessedByLiberty]

Michael Moore, Sheen, Hollywood Liberals, AL Franken are all right wing extremists, who knew!

[PBRSTREETGANG]

The Consequences of Right-Wing Extremism on the Internet

As opposed to the consequences of Left-Wing Extremism on the major networks?

[LuigiBasco]

Because they feel their pain don't cha know!

[Mike Darancette]

The Consequences of Right-Wing Extremism on the Internet.

Extremism=Republican.

[Jagdgewehr]

Anyone using the Internet may inadvertently be exposed to hate online.

*sigh*

Ah, forget it.

[per loin]

Even though i detest hate-mongers like Foxman, I think he has a right to spew his venom.

[mgist]

The Consequences of Right-Wing Extremism on the Internet.

The left wing liberals despise Israel and the US for supporting Israel. I really don't see how they can associate "right-wing" groups with extremists who are against jews. Most Christian conservatives are fervent supporters of isreal and Jews. It is really ironic.

[Veritas_est]

Every link leads back to the ADL site. There isn't one reference from outside their own organization. In other words, they are quoting themselves quoting themselves. What a bunch of hyperbole.

[KellyAdmirer]

Once you have defined something as "extremism," you have via circular reasoning created a target and smeared it without trial, without reason, without proof. For instance, I could classify the author of this piece as an extremist who must be stopped from his vicious slandering of, well, who exactly he never specifies, but it appears to be "all those evil people on the Internet who don't agree with me." Funny how these critics of extremism single out the "right-wing" kind. Says a lot about their agenda.

[LiteKeeper]

"electronic community of hate."

"electronic community of hate of knowledge and activism"

[firebrand]

My thoughts almost exactly. Those Christians who read the Old and New Testaments, both, with faith are the greatest defenders of the Jews and Israel, outside of Jews themselves.

The worst thing about this piece is the attempt to make right = hate. Just when I was feeling defensive toward Foxman.

[wvnavyvet]

He may not represent all Jews but he represents enough. ADL is an extremist organization, anti-everything not jewish. This is just more internet terroism from a extreme left-wing hate mongers.

[Uncle Miltie]

"The Consequences of Left-Wing Extremism on the Internet": Howard Dean

[<1/1,000,000th%]

Too many jokes?

[End Times Sentinel]

Online, racists, anti-Semites, and anti-government extremists

 

Abe Foxman proves his reliable idiocy, yet again.  The first two charges are the stock and trade of the left and dollars to doughnuts, Abe believes that those who take a literal interpretation of The Constitution are "anti-government extremists".

Owl_Eagle

" WAR IS PEACE
FREEDOM IS SLAVERY
DIVERSITY IS STRENGTH"

Online, racists, anti-Semites, and anti-government extremists

Abe Foxman proves his reliable idiocy, yet again.  The first two charges are the stock and trade of the left and dollars to doughnuts, Abe believes that those who take a literal interpretation of The Constitution are "anti-government extremists".

[billva]

This guy has obviously never visited Democratic Underground. That's a real hate group.