The TOHIF project has started a podcast! Over the course of 8 episodes, the imaginatively named, TOHIF Podcast, will give listeners a succinct overview of the problem of online hate in football; how it happens, why it happens and what efforts are being made to stop it. The problem is attracting growing attention from media, football authorities and even governments, but it evolves at such a rate that it can hard to get to grips with.
The TOHIF Podcast aims to provide some clarity for anyone interested in online hate in football, whether they’re academics, journalists or concerned fans. The first episode gives a look at the difficulties and opportunities involved in analysing over a decade’s worth of online data to trace the evolution of online hate. It also provides a look into what academic research into the wider problem of online hate in football has revealed so far, and what more needs to be done.
The next three episodes focus on different groups who are frequently targeted by online hate in football: players, journalists and fans. Despite their fame and wealth, players still feel the emotional and mental impact of incessant online attacks against them and there is little in the way of formal support structures for them, with attitudes to the problem varying widely from club to club. Journalists and fans are even less well protected than players, and the impact of abuse against them is even less well researched – by both academics and the media.
Episodes 5 and 6 will show the complexity of the problem, illustrating how online hate ties into two other pressing issues in modern football: the spread of conspiracy theories and the growth of sportswashing.
The final two episodes of the podcast will take a look at what authorities are doing to address the problem. Episode 7 focuses on social media platforms – their responsibilities and their priorities. It also looks at third party tech services that aim to protect players and clubs from online abuse. Episode 8 looks at the football authorities – examining the strengths and weaknesses of the efforts they’ve made to protect the sport and those within it.
Featuring insights from academics, tech experts, and those working within the game, the TOHIF Podcast will offer listeners a clear understanding of a complex problem in 8 engaging and easily digestible episodes. Look for it on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.