No social group is exempt from inflammatory online rhetoric, but minority religious groups are increasingly vulnerable to stereotyping and “othering.” This presentation reports key findings from a systematic qualitative analysis of YouTube transcripts from leading content creators and news organizations about Jehovah’s Witnesses.
The growing tension between influencer-style content and more traditional news reporting on YouTube will be discussed with a focus on Japan and Britain. Former members with anti-Witness narratives were found to dominate the discourse in these countries. Cultural aspects and current political climate were identified as factors influencing content. “Control” was a common theme in democratic, individualistic countries like Britain. The theme of “family” was common in Japan, reflecting issues of second-generation Japanese, anti-cult activists, and some government officials to restrict minority religions, including Jehovah’s Witnesses. Discussion will include how these representations are crafted out of new digital spaces and have broader societal and legal implications.