蜜桃传媒

MONTGOMERY, AL 鈥� The Southern Poverty Law Center (蜜桃传媒) today launched TechWatch, a new resource which tracks the role technology plays in perpetuating hate. The听first feature series to launch on this new page听is a听groundbreaking听4-part听new听report鈥痚xposing听the origins听and growth of the far-right podcast ecosystem听over a decade, examining听the individuals and groups that use this technology to create and expand their networks of hate.听听

鈥淔or years, far-right extremists and hate groups have increasingly used technology to spread dangerous messaging, raise money, expand membership and audience and even coordinate violence. This new resource seeks to expose the various ways these groups use all sorts of tech platforms,鈥� said Susan Corke, director of 蜜桃传媒鈥檚 Intelligence Project. 鈥淒espite constant warnings to tech companies about the dangers of these groups, more often than not, companies have put profits over the public good. Our hope is resources like this will听shine light into dark corners of the web and听help propel action by the companies, public,听and even Congress to address this dire situation.鈥澨�

On听TechWatch, 蜜桃传媒听writers and researchers will continue to听use data听analytics and research to听reveal the听interdependence听of听technology and extremism.听听The page will also听feature听蜜桃传媒鈥檚 reporting听from the听last decade that focuses on technology and hate and holding Twitter and other platforms accountable.

From 2005 to 2020, 蜜桃传媒 analyzed 18 different podcasts鈥痑nd focused鈥痮n 882 cast members who appeared on鈥痮ver four thousand鈥痙ifferent podcast episodes.听The new report听examines how the far-right strategy听uses听podcasts as听a tool for extremists鈥痶o build in-person communities and mobilize their base to attend events. 蜜桃传媒 found the podcasts also provided a low-cost, low-risk method for exchanging information and networking internationally. Appearances on international podcasts helped propagandists, event organizers and movement leaders discuss strategies and tactics to further their movement. Data also revealed that podcasts played a crucial role in branding and marketing Richard Spencer, one of the core leaders of the modern white nationalist movement.听听听听

"Our research makes clear听that听extremists听are using听podcasts to cultivate their own financially lucrative video and livestreaming landscape听and spread their messages of hate and disinformation, and the tech companies have allowed, enabled, or even been听complicit,鈥澨齭aid Corke.听听

You can find the new site听TechWatch听here.

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