Research shows: A large proportion of politicians in Zurich receive hate messages

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The research results show that approximately a third of the participating politicians have already encountered hate messages. One in five people has experienced unpleasant news in the past twelve months.

Of those who received hate messages last year, one in three had considered giving up their political role. However, the survey also found that the vast majority of those affected do not lose their joy in politics, despite the vitriol online.

In most cases, the affected politicians were humiliated or insulted. In one in four cases, dissatisfied citizens also made threats of violence, including threats against family members.

It is not always just the political position or the party that is criticized. The insults are often about gender, education, income or profession. According to the results, there are no differences in age or gender, but there are differences in party membership.

Politicians from the Pol parties, such as the SP, the Greens or the SVP, are especially insulted. Those who are independent or belong to a centrist party are less likely to find themselves in the crosshairs.

“The investigation has shown that there is a need for measures to combat hate speech,” Justice Director Jacqueline Fehr (SP) is quoted in the statement. It now wants to examine the next steps and, if necessary, propose the necessary legal and technical requirements for additional measures.

All 1,680 elected politicians at cantonal and municipal level could participate in the survey on the topic of hate speech. 660 responded. That is four in ten and a relatively high participation rate, according to the report.

However, it is not entirely clear whether the study actually reflects the size. It may be that those who were themselves affected or interested in the topic of hate speech participated. Conversely, many of those affected would likely not have participated.

The canton not only wants to ask politicians questions about the subject, but also offer them support in the fight against hate mail. Since last September, they have been able to report incidents on a website. They will then receive a cost voucher for a legal investigation and be contacted by lawyers.

The canton bears the costs of the lawyers to a certain extent. The Department of Justice also provides politicians with text modules for an appropriate response.

One of the main triggers for the project against hate mail was the former SP subdistrict councilor, Sarah Akanji. She announced in the fall of 2022 that she would not run for another term due to sexist and racist slurs.

(SDA)

Source:Blick