As part of a public lecture on June 4 at the University House (7:30 p.m.), new DIID member Jun.-Prof. Dr. Marc Ziegele will address a topic that is both current and complex: user comments on the internet.
“Trolls,” “haters,” “left-wing green do-gooders,” and “social bots”: the social image of online discussions among users under news articles is currently disastrous. Yet comment writers represent only a minority of society, as most online users do not comment themselves, but do read the comments of others. In extreme cases, this can lead to a distorted perception of public opinion, as only those who “shout the loudest” are taken into account. Politicians are now trying to combat hate and abuse on the internet with measures such as the “Network Enforcement Act.” But is a law that primarily promotes the deletion of content really the best solution to the problem of hate, or are there better ways to improve the climate of discussion online? Who are these “trolls” and “haters” anyway? Where do they come from and what drives them? Are online discussions really harmful, or do they even offer potential for fruitful and instructive political exchange? The lecture answers these questions from an empirical perspective and provides an overview of research on user comments in Germany and in international comparison.
The event begins promptly at 7:30 p.m. at the Haus der Universität (Schadowplatz 14, 40212 Düsseldorf). Following the approximately 45-minute lecture, there will be an opportunity for questions and discussion. Admission is free.