Telegramming Hate: Far-Right Themes on Dark Social Media

Background: This study empirically examines the multimodal discourses of far-right groups on mobile apps. Many fringe groups find Telegram a convenient platform to spread hate speech without the need to censor their content or fear being blocked from the platform. Analysis: This study collected all the posts from 15 far-right Telegram channels. The data was analyzed using a mixed-method approach, including an examination of profile images, hashtags, mentions, and emojis that have been weaponized to assist in hate dissemination. Conclusion and implications: The findings show that one major theme on Telegram revolves around white peoples’ perceived grievances and discussions on conservatism followed by the minorities as the problem.