SCN Publications Toolkits Digital Dispatches

Latest

In the Blind Spot – How right-wing extremists use alternative platforms for radicalisation

This report provides a summary of the first annual expert conference "Im toten Winkel - Wie Rechtsextreme alternative Online-Plattformen zur Radikalisierung nutzen" (In the blind spot - How right-wing extremists use alternative online platforms for radicalisation), which took place as part of the project "Radikalisierung in rechtsextremen Onlinesubkulturen entgegentreten" (Countering radicalisation in right-wing extremist online subcultures), funded by the German Federal Ministry of Justice (BMJ). 

Telegram as a Buttress: How far-right extremists and conspiracy theorists are expanding their infrastructures via Telegram

Telegram has become the central alternative platform for German language right-wing extremists. Over time, the messenger service has adopted social media functions that turned it into a hybrid platform. The promised anonymity and lack of moderation makes the platform attractive for extremists. This report researches, how the far-right online milieu in the German-speaking world is using Telegram.

Signposts – A background report on right-wing extremist online subcultures 

This report discusses the context of the ISD research project “Countering Radicalisation in Far-Right Online Subcultures”, which deals with German right-wing extremists and their use of alternative platforms. It gives a historical overview of the German far-right’s online activities, describes methodological foundations and presents a summary of interviews that informed the project’s research.  

Escape Routes: How far-right actors circumvent the Network Enforcement Act 

For this study, the online milieu of radical right-wing and extreme right-wing actors was investigated with particular regard to its linking strategies to alternative platforms. The aim of the analysis was to make the cosmos of online platforms used by extreme right-wing and radical right-wing actors accessible.   

A France Divided by the Pandemic: The Disinformation Ecosystem Leading up to the 2022 Elections

This report presents the findings of a project investigating disinformation and misinformation ahead of the French 2022 presidential elections. Leveraging a combination of social media analysis, network mapping and qualitative analysis, this study provides an overview of the key communities which were actively spreading disinformation and misinformation on social media ahead of the elections, and the dynamics and narratives shaping these communities.

Researching the Evolving Online Ecosystem: Executive Summary

This report focusses on online spaces used by extremist, hate and disinformation actors as they move away from mainstream social media platforms. It outlines the key barriers to researching and mitigating harmful activity posed by these digital platforms, reviews existing research methodologies and tools, and provides recommendations for policy-makers, companies and civil society on ensuring data access for public interest research.

Researching the Evolving Online Ecosystem: Annex

The Annex discusses ethical, legal and security risks to digital research. It outlines how ethical approaches to online research have developed and considers how approaches differ across different sectors that engage in digital research.

Researching the Evolving Online Ecosystem: Barriers, Methods and Future Challenges

This report focusses on online spaces used by extremist, hate and disinformation actors as they move away from mainstream social media platforms. It outlines the key barriers to researching and mitigating harmful activity posed by these digital platforms, reviews existing research methodologies and tools, and provides recommendations for policy-makers, companies and civil society on ensuring data access for public interest research.