Unveiling Hate Speech Dynamics: An Examination of Discourse Targeting the Spanish Meteorological Agency (AEMET)

This article examines hate speech directed at AEMET, the Spanish meteorological state agency, on the social media platform X. We analysed nearly half a million messages posted between 31 December 2021 and 19 April 2023, using hate speech detection algorithms, text mining techniques, and qualitative...

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Main Authors: Sergio Arce-García, Virginia Martin-Jiménez, Leticia Rodríguez-Fernández
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Cogitatio 2025-01-01
Series:Social Inclusion
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.cogitatiopress.com/socialinclusion/article/view/9291
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author Sergio Arce-García
Virginia Martin-Jiménez
Leticia Rodríguez-Fernández
author_facet Sergio Arce-García
Virginia Martin-Jiménez
Leticia Rodríguez-Fernández
author_sort Sergio Arce-García
collection DOAJ
description This article examines hate speech directed at AEMET, the Spanish meteorological state agency, on the social media platform X. We analysed nearly half a million messages posted between 31 December 2021 and 19 April 2023, using hate speech detection algorithms, text mining techniques, and qualitative analysis to identify patterns and themes in the discourse. Our research reveals a troubling reality, with around 25% of the messages collected displaying some degree of hostility towards AEMET, its staff, and its scientific work. A considerable amount of hate speech was expressed through derogatory comments and insults aimed at meteorologists, which is indicative of a wider trend of anti‐intellectualism and scepticism of scientific expertise. Furthermore, the spread of conspiracy theories, particularly those related to geoengineering and chemtrails, highlights the spread of misinformation within online communities. This study emphasises the importance of acknowledging and addressing the spread of hate speech in meteorology and scientific communication. By emphasising the negative effects of such language on public perception and trust in scientific institutions, this article advocates for collaborative efforts to promote a culture of informed dialogue and evidence‐based discourse. The results highlight the importance of combating hate speech and misinformation to protect the integrity and credibility of scientific institutions such as AEMET.
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series Social Inclusion
spelling doaj-art-76eb0db5adfa4ed4a93a7efdd57df6ef2025-08-20T02:43:42ZengCogitatioSocial Inclusion2183-28032025-01-0113010.17645/si.92913988Unveiling Hate Speech Dynamics: An Examination of Discourse Targeting the Spanish Meteorological Agency (AEMET)Sergio Arce-García0Virginia Martin-Jiménez1Leticia Rodríguez-Fernández2Universidad Internacional de La Rioja, SpainUniversidad de Valladolid, SpainUniversidad de Cádiz, SpainThis article examines hate speech directed at AEMET, the Spanish meteorological state agency, on the social media platform X. We analysed nearly half a million messages posted between 31 December 2021 and 19 April 2023, using hate speech detection algorithms, text mining techniques, and qualitative analysis to identify patterns and themes in the discourse. Our research reveals a troubling reality, with around 25% of the messages collected displaying some degree of hostility towards AEMET, its staff, and its scientific work. A considerable amount of hate speech was expressed through derogatory comments and insults aimed at meteorologists, which is indicative of a wider trend of anti‐intellectualism and scepticism of scientific expertise. Furthermore, the spread of conspiracy theories, particularly those related to geoengineering and chemtrails, highlights the spread of misinformation within online communities. This study emphasises the importance of acknowledging and addressing the spread of hate speech in meteorology and scientific communication. By emphasising the negative effects of such language on public perception and trust in scientific institutions, this article advocates for collaborative efforts to promote a culture of informed dialogue and evidence‐based discourse. The results highlight the importance of combating hate speech and misinformation to protect the integrity and credibility of scientific institutions such as AEMET.https://www.cogitatiopress.com/socialinclusion/article/view/9291aemetanti‐intellectualismdisinformationhate speechmeteorologyx/twitter
spellingShingle Sergio Arce-García
Virginia Martin-Jiménez
Leticia Rodríguez-Fernández
Unveiling Hate Speech Dynamics: An Examination of Discourse Targeting the Spanish Meteorological Agency (AEMET)
Social Inclusion
aemet
anti‐intellectualism
disinformation
hate speech
meteorology
x/twitter
title Unveiling Hate Speech Dynamics: An Examination of Discourse Targeting the Spanish Meteorological Agency (AEMET)
title_full Unveiling Hate Speech Dynamics: An Examination of Discourse Targeting the Spanish Meteorological Agency (AEMET)
title_fullStr Unveiling Hate Speech Dynamics: An Examination of Discourse Targeting the Spanish Meteorological Agency (AEMET)
title_full_unstemmed Unveiling Hate Speech Dynamics: An Examination of Discourse Targeting the Spanish Meteorological Agency (AEMET)
title_short Unveiling Hate Speech Dynamics: An Examination of Discourse Targeting the Spanish Meteorological Agency (AEMET)
title_sort unveiling hate speech dynamics an examination of discourse targeting the spanish meteorological agency aemet
topic aemet
anti‐intellectualism
disinformation
hate speech
meteorology
x/twitter
url https://www.cogitatiopress.com/socialinclusion/article/view/9291
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AT virginiamartinjimenez unveilinghatespeechdynamicsanexaminationofdiscoursetargetingthespanishmeteorologicalagencyaemet
AT leticiarodriguezfernandez unveilinghatespeechdynamicsanexaminationofdiscoursetargetingthespanishmeteorologicalagencyaemet