A recent social media post from "The Rabbit Hole" has reignited discussions surrounding media coverage of political extremism, asserting that "Corporate media notices the far right while ignoring the far left. This is a major blind spot in their coverage." This claim comes as various studies offer insights into the patterns of extremist activity and how it is portrayed across news outlets.
Research conducted by MDPI in 2022, analyzing over 30 million news articles from 54 U.S. and U.K. outlets between 1970 and 2019, indicates a growing prevalence of terms denoting political extremism. The study found that news media outlets tend to use "far-right-denoting terms substantially more often than they use far-left-denoting terms," a trend particularly stark since 2008. This suggests a measurable difference in the frequency with which these terms appear in mainstream reporting.
This disparity in media terminology aligns with findings from several security and academic institutions regarding the scope of extremist violence. Data shared with Military Times by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) revealed that from 2010 to 2021, right-wing extremists were responsible for 353 plots or attacks, resulting in 147 deaths. In contrast, far-left extremists carried out 126 plots or attacks, causing 23 fatalities during the same period. A University of Maryland-led study further noted that acts by left-wing extremists are 45% less likely to result in fatalities compared to those by right-wing extremists.
Experts suggest that the focus on far-right extremism by media and government entities often stems from its higher lethality and prevalence in domestic terrorism incidents. The Brookings Institution highlighted that violence linked to white supremacist, anti-government, and other right-wing causes has proven "far more lethal and more politically consequential" in recent years. Far-right groups also extensively utilize online platforms and social media for propaganda and recruitment, further amplifying their visibility and reach.
While "The Rabbit Hole" tweet alleges a "blind spot" in media coverage, the available data indicates a significant difference in the scale and impact of violence perpetrated by different extremist factions. This context suggests that the media's attention may reflect the documented patterns of extremist activity and its societal consequences, rather than a deliberate omission. The ongoing debate underscores the complex challenges in reporting on political extremism.