Hate Speech and Inciting Hate



Table of Contents

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION3

Background of the Study3

Problem Statement3

Rationale of the Study4

Aims and Objectives4

Conceptual Model5

Research Questions5

Ethical Concerns6

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW7

The nature of hate speech7

The need for free speech8

Hate speech bill of Kuwait9

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY11

Research method11

Research approach12

Literature search13

References14

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Hate speech may be defined as a speech which is intended to attack on another person or another group on the basis of religion, gender, race or sexual orientation. In this context, it is imperative to understand what is hate speech and how does it relate to freedom of speech. The notion of speech as held by the American nation has been criticized for a long time now. When it comes to hate speech there is an imbalance of power between the person who uses the hate speech and the person who is being affected by it. Hate speech is not limited to speech only. It also includes gestures, writing or any other form of display (Kahn, 2008). This is normally forbidden, on moral and legal grounds, as it incites hate and violence. People who use hate speech are called hate speakers. Those who are affected by it are called victims. The websites upon which this kind of an activity is conducted is called hate site. The laws in different countries on the hate speech are different. In some countries, a victim has the right to seek justice under the civil law. Whether the hate speech, and the consequent inciting of hate and violence, is legally prohibited in a country or not, there is a universal agreement on the fact that it should be. The law in Kuwait does not address hate speech. The government should look into the matter and should focus on addressing hate speech under law so that it may not incite hate and violence (Edger, 2010).

Problem Statement

Hate speech represents a misuse, which is essentially gross, of the right to free speech. It thwarts the balance in communal life and promotes hostility against one another. There are various ways to deal with hate speech. These differ between developed and developing countries. In the developed countries the presence of competitive economy, civilized society, cohesion and integrity in society and unbiased media are the many things that can prevent the detrimental impacts of hate speech (Emperor, 2011). In a developing country like Kuwait, one of the most effective ways of controlling hate speech is law. Hence, the need for a hate speech law cannot be undermined inn Kuwait which is facing sectarian conflicts at the time.

Rationale of the Study

The study is of particular importance because there is no law in Kuwait when it comes hate speech. Considering the fact that hate speech has increased in Kuwait lately and has led to many sectarian issues, there is a need for government to pay attention to the issues and pose a positive and favorable image of Kuwait to the world. The image of the country to the world depends on how peacefully the people ...