Digital Hate Speech Surrounding the Renaissance Dam Crisis: A Content Analysis of Posts on the “Ethiopia in Arabic” Facebook Page

Abstract

This study examines the patterns and manifestations of digital hate speech surrounding the Renaissance Dam crisis on Facebook. It employed a quantitative content analysis methodology using a census approach to analyse all 332 posts published on the “Ethiopia in Arabic” (Ethiopia Bil-Arabi) Facebook page over a four-month period. The findings indicate that hate speech, incitement, and other forms of hostile digital discourse constituted a substantial proportion of the content analysed, with posts containing hate speech-related expressions accounting for 68.98% of the total posts. The analysis also identified several recurring discursive practices, including incitement to hostility and discord, disinformation, mockery and ridicule, disparagement of opposing groups, and racist rhetoric. Furthermore, the findings suggest that such forms of discourse contributed to an antagonistic communicative environment among users expressing opposing positions on the Renaissance Dam issue. The study also raises concerns regarding the extent to which platform policies addressing hate speech, incitement, and disinformation are reflected in the content circulating on pages engaged in contentious political and regional issues. Overall, the findings highlight the role of Facebook-based communication in facilitating the circulation of hostile and divisive discourse surrounding the Renaissance Dam crisis and underscore the need for greater attention to the moderation, regulation, and responsible management of contentious digital content.