The Public Perception of Hate Speech Regulation in Unconventional Media

Abstract

This study provides one of the first quantitative analyses regarding citizens’ perception of hate speech regulation in Spain, based on the influential, empirical study of the Torre Pacheco case. The research at hand statistically validates the correlation between the consumption of content through unconventional media and a reduced tendency to accept regulatory measures, a significant finding given the current climate of growing disinformation and digital polarization. The results indicate that women are more likely to support regulation, while individuals who are politically more conservative tend to reject such intervention. The conclusions highlight a potential association between political affiliation, trust in state institutions, and resistance to content regulation in the digital environment, which provide key insights into the current challenges facing democratic governance.