Abstract

Intentional misinformation is a problem that has been documented in a variety of shapes and forms for thousands of years and continues to plague the American landscape. The advent and increasing usage of the Internet has created an additional venue through which intentional misinformation is disseminated, and many groups are taking full advantage of this new communication medium. Because the Internet allows anyone with web publishing skills to disseminate misinformation, it is often difficult for users to judge the credibility of the information. Hate groups understand this phenomenon and are taking full advantage of the Internet by publishing hate sites that promote their extremist ideologies by using language and symbolism that makes the true message difficult to decipher. This study will investigate the methods employed by hate groups to disseminate misinformation to the public.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Communication--Moral and ethical aspects; Hate speech--Computer network resources--Design; Web sites--Design; Web sites--Ratings and rankings; Visual communication--Design; Truthfulness and falsehood

Publication Date

2004

Document Type

Thesis

Student Type

Graduate

Degree Name

Communication and Media Technologies (MS)

Department, Program, or Center

Department of Communication (CLA)

Advisor

Bruce Austin

Advisor/Committee Member

Susan Barnes

Advisor/Committee Member

Steven Jacobs

Comments

Physical copy available from RIT's Wallace Library at ZA4201 .A4 2004

Campus

RIT – Main Campus

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