Incident Information
Date of incident: February 12, 2023
Location of incident: Turkey
Identifying information of perpetrator: Nedim Şener, a journalist
Hate Speech Analysis
Transcription of hate speech statement: "All of Turkey is a witness to what FETÖ[1] members did to you Haluk. Don't expect an apology from these scoundrels, just remember what was done... Don't let these FETÖ scoundrels mention your name." "Apparently, FETÖ members were trying to create a perception by giving so-called support to Haluk's efforts. But the plot was foiled and now they are threatening him openly and secretly. don't feed Haluk Levent to them."
Target group(s) of hate speech: Members of the Gülen movement
Justification of hate speech: In these tweets, Nedim Şener appears to be taking precautions to ensure that members of the Gülen movement are not positively perceived by the public in the aftermath of the earthquake. He presents the Gülen movement as a threat to the efforts of Haluk Levent and others in providing aid to the affected population. By making false claims about the alleged involvement of the Gülen movement in legal proceedings against Haluk Levent, he seeks to discredit the movement and create a negative perception of its members. This justification for hate speech could stem from a desire to protect the interests of the Turkish state and its supporters, or from a personal bias against the Gülen movement. Regardless of the motivations behind the hate speech, it promotes discrimination and marginalization of a specific group based on false and harmful claims.
Analysis of the hate speech statement: The tweets by Nedim Şener contain hate speech directed against members of the Gülen movement. The language used in the tweets, such as "FETÖ scoundrels" and "don't let these scoundrels mention your name," is dehumanizing and promotes negative stereotypes of the group. The false claims about the involvement of the Gülen movement in legal proceedings against Haluk Levent also contribute to the hate speech, as they seek to discredit and marginalize the group. This type of hate speech creates a hostile environment for members of the Gülen movement and can contribute to further discrimination and violence against them. The impact of the statement is harmful and reinforces negative and false narratives about the group.
Contextual information: Nedim Şener is making these statements in the aftermath of an earthquake in Turkey, and he appears to be trying to manipulate the president of a civilian aid organization, Haluk Levent.
Impact of the statement: The statements made by Nedim Şener can contribute to an atmosphere of hostility and mistrust towards members of the Gülen movement and make it harder to achieve a resolution to conflicts or to build a more inclusive and cooperative society.
Conclusion
The tweets by Nedim Şener contain hate speech directed against members of the Gülen movement. The dehumanizing language and false claims used in the tweets contribute to a hostile environment and further discrimination against this group. This type of hate speech undermines efforts to promote equality, respect, and dignity for all individuals, regardless of their beliefs or affiliations. It is important to challenge and resist hate speech, and to promote accurate, respectful, and non-discriminatory discourse in all forms of communication. This type of language is divisive and harmful, and it has the potential to contribute to an atmosphere of hostility and mistrust. It is important for journalists to avoid spreading false or misleading information, and to avoid engaging in personal attacks or spreading harmful or divisive rhetoric.
[1] 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.