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Incident Information
Date of Incident: July 26, 2023
Location of Incident: Turkey
Identifying information of Perpetrator(s) Nedim Şener, Journalist
Hate Speech Analysis
Transcription of the hate speech statement: ” PKK için silahtan çıkan mermi ne ise ”FETÖ’’cüler için medya üzerinden yaydıkları yalan ve iftira ve kumpas odur. ” (Translation: What bullets from a gun are to the PKK, lies, slander and conspiracies spread through the media are to ”FETÖ” members.)
Target group(s) of the hate speech: The hate speech in this statement is directed against those alleged to be members of the Gülen movement.
Justification of the hate speech: There is no justification for hate speech. Hate speech is generally rooted in prejudice, intolerance, and a desire to demean or harm individuals based on their true or perceived affiliation, characteristics or beliefs.
Analysis of the hate speech statement: The perpetrator refers to members of the Gulen movement or alleged members of the movement because the perpetrator uses the term ‘FETÖ’ his statement. It is important to acknowledge that “FETÖ” is a derogatory label used by the Turkish government to stigmatize and marginalize followers of Fethullah Gülen, a Turkish Islamic scholar residing in the United States. The deliberate usage of this term on media outlet’s website perpetuates negative stereotypes and contributes to the stigmatization of individuals associated with the Gülen movement. It is important to recognize that hate speech targets specific groups or individuals based on their characteristics, affiliations, or beliefs, and serves to demean, marginalize, or incite hatred towards them. By employing the term “FETÖ” to refer to individuals allegedly affiliated with the Gülen movement, the statement contributes to the amplification of discriminatory and harmful rhetoric. Such language further reinforces negative perceptions, fuels social division, fans the flame of hatred and can lead to the marginalization and discrimination of the targeted group. It must be emphasized on the fact that the perpetrator uses the analogy of an armed terrorist organization against the entire Gülen movement in the context of a media outlet reporting on the Gülen movement through online journalism.
Contextual information: The hate speech statement is part of a statement of Nedim Şener, who used the term “FETÖ” in his statement. “FETÖ” is a derogatory term that the Turkish government coined to refer to the faith-based Gülen movement, which it deems a terrorist group responsible for a failed military coup in July 2016. Its US-based leader, Fethullah Gülen, denies any involvement in the putsch. The European Union and the United States have refused to adopt Turkey’s views on the group. The context of the post suggests a potential misuse of the term “FETÖ” to label and stigmatize individuals associated with the Gülen movement.
Impact of the statement: The usage of the term “FETÖ” may contribute to further stigmatization and discrimination against individuals associated with the Gülen movement and be a reason to legitimize arbitrary detentions. It has the potential to perpetuate negative stereotypes and create a hostile environment for this specific group.
Conclusion
The statement contains hate speech due to the usage of the derogatory term “FETÖ” to refer to individuals associated with the Gülen movement. Hate speech targets specific groups or individuals based on their characteristics, affiliations, or beliefs, and serves to demean, marginalize, or incite hatred towards them. The usage of such hate speech perpetuates negative stereotypes, contributes to the stigmatization of individuals, and fosters an environment of discrimination and social division. It is crucial to recognize the harmful impact of hate speech and to promote responsible journalism that upholds principles of equality, fairness, and respect for all individuals, regardless of their affiliations or backgrounds
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