This research briefing outlines findings from an analysis of the far-right and far-left Facebook ecosystem in Australia in the first seven months of 2020. It analyses how the far-right and far-left discuss each other on Facebook and how narratives about the other side of the political spectrum shape the online activity of these groups. It also seeks to understand how central discussion about the ‘other side’ is to the far-right and far-left and how it fits within the broader online activities of these movements.

About the authors:
Cécile Guerin is a Research Coordinator at ISD, working on digital analysis projects related to disinformation, hate speech and extremist content online.

Jacob Davey is Senior Research Manager at ISD, leading on work mapping hate and far-right extremism online.

Mario Peucker is a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Sustainable Industries & Liveable Cities (ISILC) at Victoria University, Melbourne.

Thomas J. Fisher is a research assistant at the Institute for Sustainable Industries & Liveable Cities (ISILC) at Victoria University, Melbourne and a PhD candidate at La Trobe University, Melbourne.