From Swarm Intelligence to Swarm Malice: An Appeal

Abstract

In social networks, controversy, provocation, and incitement mutate quickly to an explosive mixture. Journalists, who aim for a factual moderation, are often highly frustrated to meet the criticism of trolls and haters. The essay addresses the following questions: How can newsrooms cope with the massively growing feedback from users? What responsibility carries the media and the civil society in designing a constructive net debate culture? And are there alternatives to foster an open-minded public discourse?