Whilst these events were capable of single-handedly influencing far-right rhetoric, it
is important to take into consideration the impact of the increased online presence in
2020 due to lockdown measures. Many political scientists have previously concluded
that social media and online news outlets have greatly influenced public opinion.
Components such as Filter Bubbles, Echo Chambers and Media Biases have all been
determined to have played a significant role in exacerbating political polarisation and
contributing to the rise in far-right ideas and extremist beliefs. The idea that the media
has played a significant role in the rise of the far-right is not a new argument. However,
the world becoming online due to lockdowns put this hypothesis on steroids. People had
no choice but to take to the internet.
This report will provide a nuanced understanding of how the media intensified
extremist presence and backlash during the events of 2020 and how this created a surge
in far-right ideologies as a result.
How the media can impact public opinion
The COVID-19 Pandemic and its affect on the far-right surge
Far-right backlash during the BLM protests
Far-right opposition towards the Election result
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