#No2Sectarianism: How Religious Messages Reduce Hate Speech Online

Counter Speech ExperimentsArab TwittersphereLebanon SurveyReligious Identity PrimingElite EndorsementPolitical Behavior APSR 2 R files 2 datasets Dataverse

This study evaluates counter-speech strategies designed to reduce sectarian hate speech across the Arab Twittersphere and Lebanon.

Research Design:

Experimentation in two contexts:
Social media (Arab Twittersphere)
National survey experiment (Lebanon)

Key Findings:

Most effective counter-speech combines elite endorsement with priming of common religious identity
Messages highlighting shared religious ties, supported by influential figures, reduce hostile anti-outgroup language most significantly
Common national identity alone proved less impactful at reducing hate speech

Real-world Relevance:

This work offers policymakers practical insights for combating sectarian rhetoric online and offline. It demonstrates that religious elites can effectively serve as social referents to shape acceptable discourse norms.

Article card for article: #No2Sectarianism: Experimental Approaches to Reducing Sectarian Hate Speech Online

#No2Sectarianism: Experimental Approaches to Reducing Sectarian Hate Speech Online was authored by Alexandra Siegel and Vivienne Badaan. It was published by Cambridge in APSR in 2020.