Hate Speech in the Internet Communication on Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia

Abstract

A study on the Internet users' perceptions of Jehovah's Witnesses and attitudes towards them is important for understanding the role of journalism in the formation of tolerance for non-traditional religious communities. An analysis of publications about Jehovah's Witnesses in the network communication indicates of a stable negative set of attitudes towards them in Russia. The paper is based on an analysis of mass "self-communication" texts about Jehovah's Witnesses, it reveals the obvious "traces" of the media texts that can be attributed to the effects of their impact on the audience. The analysis shows the sensitivity of the mass consciousness to broadcast information about the little-known or completely unknown social groups and readiness for the rejection of those who the media labeled as "alien".