“Go to hell, America you f*ing idiot" digital racism in the online netizen comments on online TV platforms
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26555/bs.v46i3.1964Keywords:
Critical Discourse Analysis, Digital Racism, Netizen Language, Online TVAbstract
This study aims to uncover the construction of digital racism in the comment sections of online TV platforms and explain the mechanisms of reproduction of discriminatory ideologies through language practices in the digital public sphere. The study uses a qualitative approach with van Dijk's Critical Discourse Analysis method, which integrates text structure analysis, social cognition, and social context. Data in the form of netizen comments that appeared in real time during international sports broadcasts were collected through non-participant observation, documented, and then analyzed through thematic coding, categorization of racist speech forms, and critical interpretation of linguistic aspects, ideology, and digital media characteristics. The results show that digital racism is present not only in the form of explicit hate speech, but also through more subtle discursive strategies, such as labeling racial and national identities, stereotypes based on physical characteristics, the use of pejorative diction, dehumanizing metaphors, irony, and humor that normalize discriminatory practices. The reproduction of racism is reinforced by the repetition of comments, affirmations between users, account anonymity, the speed of interaction, and weak content moderation so that racist speech is perceived as a normal part of match commentary culture. These findings confirm that language in digital spaces is not neutral, but rather serves to construct and legitimize racist ideologies through everyday communication practices. This research contributes to the development of critical linguistics and digital racism studies and emphasizes the importance of critical digital literacy, language ethics, and content moderation in creating an inclusive online public space.
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