Incident Information
Date of incident: January 30, 2023
Location of incident: Turkey
Identifying information of perpetrator: Sabah Daily
Hate Speech Analysis
Transcription of hate speech statement: The use of the term "FETÖ[1]" to refer to the Gülen movement in Sabah Daily's report.
Target group(s) of hate speech: Members of the Gülen movement
Justification of hate speech: To further demonize the Gülen movement and its members, with the goal of reducing the impact of the opposition's rhetoric.
Analysis of the hate speech statement: The Sabah daily article refers to the Gülen movement using the highly negative and pejorative term "FETÖ". The use of this term is considered hate speech because it demonizes the movement and its members by implying that the movement is a criminal and violent organization. This term creates the idea that the movement is not a legitimate social or religious organization, but a sinister force attempting to subvert the state from behind the scenes. It also implies that the movement has infiltrated various state institutions and is manipulating them for its own ends.
The use of this term by the Sabah daily can be seen as a reflection of the government's control over the media outlet and its efforts to foment a climate of hate and fear. The government wants to wear down the opposition by identifying it with the Gülen movement, which it demonizes, in order to reduce the impact of the opposition's rhetoric. The government takes refuge in the hate speech of "FETÖ" in order to prevent the opposition from gaining strength and to reduce the impact of its promises on the public.
Contextual information: The Sabah Daily is under government control and the current political context in Turkey includes an upcoming election, where the government is trying to wear down the opposition by identifying them with the Gülen movement, which it demonizes. The opposition, on the other hand, wants to prevent and repair the government's massive human rights violations.
Impact of the statement: The statement in Sabah Daily contributes to the already severe demonization of the Gülen movement and its members, leading to further marginalization and discrimination. It also creates a climate of hate and fear, making it easier for violence and abuse against members of the movement.
Conclusion
The use of the term "FETÖ" in Sabah Daily's report is a form of hate speech that contributes to the demonization of the Gülen movement and its members and creates a climate of hate and fear. The political context in Turkey and the government's control over the media outlet exacerbate the impact of the statement.
[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.