Spread of hate speech in new media in Turkey: The case of Syrian refugees

This thesis investigates the dynamics and impacts of hate speech propagated through new media during the 2023 elections in Turkey, particularly in the context of Syrian refugees. The research thoroughly examines the effects of hate speech on social relations, political agendas, and media practices. Rising concerns in Turkey towards Syrian refugees, especially regarding unemployment, social integration, security, and the distribution of economic resources, have laid the groundwork for accusatory and hostile attitudes in the media and society. The thesis explores how political leaders and parties utilized public reactions and prejudices towards Syrian refugees in their election strategies. Theories of social representation and social identity play a crucial role in understanding this process. The study also addresses the role of newspapers and social media, particularly hashtags on Twitter (X), in shaping public perceptions and the spread of hate speech. As a methodology, Critical Discourse Analysis is employed. This approach comprehensively examines the representation of hate speech in the media and its impact on social identities and representations. The findings discussed in the conclusion section address the societal impacts of hate speech and the necessary steps to counteract it. This work aims to extensively explore the foundations of hate speech and its proliferation through new media, as well as how it can be linked to theories of social representations and identity.