Hate Speech in the Media Discourse of Belarus After the 2020 Presidential Election

Abstract

The subject of this paper is an analysis of the use of hate speech in the media discourse of Belarus in the context of social polarisation against the backdrop of a political crisis after the presidential election in 2020. The authors consider the concept of hate speech, referring to various approaches to its interpretation. The widespread use of hate speech reflects deep internal contradictions within the Belarusian society and a split based on different values. The study analysed the contents of some Belarusian Internet media, TV channels, and social media, which utilised techniques such as the denigration, dehumanisation, or marginalisation of certain groups or individuals. Researchers pay special attention to the different directions in which hate speech is used, distinguishing between domestic and foreign political contexts. In the domestic political context, hate speech in Belarus has heightened social instability and polarised the society. In contrast, in the foreign political context, hate speech has worked to construct the image of an external enemy, serving as a tool aimed at consolidating the Belarusian society and mobilising it against external threats. The political crisis specifically served as a catalyst for social tension within the society, leading to the active use of hate speech. Aimed at inciting hatred and intolerance, such materials pose a potential threat to public safety and social stability in the Belarusian society.