At its core, counterspeech attempts to persuade various audiences exposed to hate speech to change their opinion and behavior, especially when exposure to such speech influences recipients to cause harm to others, such as through acts of violence. As audience research shows, different audiences will be affected differently through their exposure to hate speech, so it is important to differentiate audiences. The chapter distinguishes four different hate speech and counterspeech audiences - hate groups, violent extremists, the vulnerable, and the public.
Book Chapter: Counterspeech as Persuasion and Media Effects
November 30, 2023
