Big Data Analysis of Online Gender-Based Hate Speech: With a focus on comments on web portal news articles

Abstract

Current studies on online gender-based hate speech have focused on legal regulations and countermeasures. In this study, we analyzed, using a data mining technique, comments on news articles about gender issues published on web portals. Our analysis of articles published by various newspaper companies on Naver and Daum revealed that hate speech in comments was significantly higher for articles reporting on specific events related to gender issues than for general articles on gender issues. This trend is consistent for articles across all news companies, regardless of political orientation. However, web portals have the power to regulate gender-based hate speech on their sites. Daum operates a reporting system for discrimination and hate speech and has significantly fewer hate speech postings compared to Naver, which lacks such a system. This study empirically analyzed the changes in the quantity of gender-based hate speech and found that web portals, commonly classified as bystanders or gatekeepers, can play a functional role in reducing online gender-based hate speech.

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“…Previous research and survey data also support our findings, indicating that gender-based hate speech has continued to increase in Naver (M. Y. Choi et al 2022) and that the most targeted groups for online hate speech are women and feminists (K.-h. Kim, Cho, and Bae 2020).…”

“…Furthermore, a small number of major portals, such as Naver, are primary channels for accessing news and expressing opinions through anonymous comments, facilitating the rapid spread of hate speech (M. Y. Choi et al 2022). 4 Recent studies report increasing gender-based hate speech on Naver, Korea's largest portal (M. Y.…”

“…4 Recent studies report increasing gender-based hate speech on Naver, Korea's largest portal (M. Y. Choi et al 2022). In a 2021 survey, 71 percent of respondents reported encountering hate speech in Internet portal comments, with women (80.4 percent) and feminists (76.8 percent) as the primary targets (National human Rights Commission of Korea 2021).…”

“…This dissemination is closely linked to widespread Internet and social media usage in Korea, which surpasses other developed nations in Internet, smartphone, and social media use, particularly for discussing political and social issues (Pew Research Center 2022). Furthermore, a small number of major portals, such as Naver, are primary channels for accessing news and expressing opinions through anonymous comments, facilitating the rapid spread of hate speech (M. Y. Choi et al 2022).…”

“…Y. Choi et al 2022). 4 Recent studies report increasing gender-based hate speech on Naver, Korea’s largest portal (M. Y. Choi et al 2022).…”