ABSTRACT
The proliferation of anonymity and pseudonymity online has, however, been accompanied by an increase in sexist, homophobic and racist hate speech. In many ways, social media platforms and message boards are reliant on users to self-police and report discriminatory hate speech. As suggested by Raymond Taras, the internet has created opportunities where those individuals and religions seen as 'different' can become ideological, political, and religious 'targets' for dominant groups who attack individuals' faith and ethnicity as a result of the perception that they pose a threat. This religious intolerance allows for the presentation of a white racial frame that now uses the internet to elevate whiteness and reinforce traditional notions of national identity as well as to present non-Muslims as victims. The English Defence League (EDL) portrays itself as a streets-based human rights movement that protects non-Muslims from the challenge of Islamic extremism and Sharia law.
