Abstract
A very thin line exists between Freedom of speech and Hate speech, this thin line has been interpreted by various courts and organizations around the world sporadically. Words are not sentences but also sentences are formed by words carrying emotional, ethical, societal and humanitarian values, History tells us if not used correctly, these words can result into riots, hatred, and some time civil wars too. Due to Algorithmic Amplification, Anonymity, Echo Chambers and Global Reach factors of mass media, particularly social media, and the dissemination of hate speech has been accelerated over past few years. Erosion of Trust and Political Polarization are two main outcomes of Hate Speeches. The author, among other things, makes the case that the psychological harm caused by the often delivered hate speeches are going to cost the world and humanity-generations to recover from the social division installed. The article will also examine the emergence of an ideology against a section of society and then it becoming an extremist ideology conveyed via hate speeches to masses. Also we will discuss the ‘Supremacism’ and ‘Radicalism’ as two main essentials of Hate Speech.
Keywords: Echo Chambers, Supremacism, Radicalism, Erosion of Trust
Introduction
Black’s Law Dictionary, 9th Edition, defines the expression ‘hate speech’ as: “Speech that carries no meaning other than the expression of hatred for some group, such as a particular race, especially in circumstances in which the communication is likely to provoke violence.”[1]Hate speech and misinformation have become twin threats in the digital age, often masked as free expression or legitimate commentary, yet capable of inflicting real harm on individuals, communities, and institutions. In 2024 Lok Sabha elections a significant proportion- 84 out of 122 of hate speeches- 68.6% were made during election campaign rallies, prompting opposition parties to urge the Election Commission to recognize these violations of the Model Code of Conduct and take appropriate action against the hate speeches.[2]Misinformation (and disinformation) has become rampant in India, largely due to the rapid adoption of smart phones and social media platforms.Revolutionary changes in internet usage and charges has made social media platforms such as Facebook, Whatsapp, Youtube, Instagram, X (Previously known as Twitter) more easily accessible to each and every citizen of the country. Hate speech in today’s modern age political and cultural scenario is a time bomb ticking every second that can create some serious disastrous situations once denoted by political leaders and influencers. In many cases, television news channels have amplified hate speech by giving air time to provocative figures, replaying inflammatory clips without context, or failing to challenge dangerous rhetoric. The line between journalism and propaganda has blurred, with some anchors assuming the role of political cheerleaders rather than public watchdogs. Instead of countering misinformation, many media houses end up reinforcing it through selective coverage, unverified claims, and a lack of accountability.
[1]Bryan A. Garner, Black Law Dictionary 9th ed. (West Legalworks 2022)
[2]Centre for the Study of Organized Hate, Report:2024-Hate Speech Events In India (February 2025)