NCJ Number
205179
Journal
Analyses of Social Issues and Public Policy Volume: 3 Issue: 1 Dated: 2003 Pages: 29-44
Date Published
2003
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This content analysis of 157 extremist (hate) Web sites focused on the number and types of links provided, the degree to which the sites fostered international communication, the images and messages conveyed by the sites, and the distinctions between the various types of groups.
Abstract
The sample included all major players in the extremist world, as well as many minor ones, and it was determined to be representative of the population of extremist Web sites. Each site was rated on a number of variables by two independent raters. The formats and presentations of the sites ranged from crude and barely literate to very "slick" and professional. The formats varied from a single page that contained a few phrases to large sites with voluminous amounts of information. The language ranged from mild to extremely inflammatory. The sponsors of the sites included single, unaffiliated individuals as well as large organizations with multiple chapters. The majority of the sites contained external links to other extremist sites, including international sites. Approximately half of the sites contained multimedia content, and half contained racist symbols. One-third of the sites disavowed racism or hatred, yet one-third contained material from supremacist literature. A small percentage of the sites urged violence against targeted groups. Overall, the findings suggest that the Internet may be a useful medium for extremists in their effort to reach an international audience, recruit adherents and members, link diverse extremist groups, and project the image and message they seek to promote. 4 tables and 30 references