Neofascism Online and Offline: The Algorithm of Hate

This DocTalk explores how far-right movements are created, fueled, and organized online — and the devastating impact they have on today’s societies. The discussion begins with the investigative documentary Hacking Hate, which shows how social networks, algorithms, and shadowy funding streams turn hate into a profitable product — tolerated, and in some cases even encouraged, by the big digital platforms. The film highlights how content guidelines on these platforms have grown looser in the wake of political shifts in the countries where these tech giants are based. It also profiles an influencer who builds and maintains extremist communities across at least sixteen different social media platforms. The documentary makes it clear that online hate doesn’t just appear out of nowhere: it is carefully planned, monetized, and transformed into political and economic power. The post-screening debate raises urgent questions for today, at a time when violence and neofascism are once again becoming real threats: Who are the key players driving this phenomenon? How can institutions prevent or counter such large-scale manipulation? And who is funding — and profiting from — the spread of hate and violence online, with consequences that spill into the real world?