The Image of "Arabs" and "Muslims" on wykop.pl

Abstract

In this paper, an analysis of Arabs and Muslims image on wykop.pl is given. We have examined frequency and characteristics of hashtags related to "Arabs" and "Muslims". Afterwards, nearly two million comments, coming from years 2006-2014 have been analyzed, thanks to the machine learning and natural language processing techniques. We have studied changes of interests in "Arabs" and "Muslims" issues, and also changes in attitudes towards mentioned groups among wykop.pl users. The results have confirmed that image of "Arabs" and "Muslims" on wykop.pl is strongly negative. Increase of interests in topics related to subject of this paper was also noticed. However, we did not take into account the fact that sometimes, identifying some people as Arabs or Muslims was incorrect. The results obtained from our study were compared with reports made by CBOS ([pol.] Centrum Badania Opinii Społecznej - Center of Public Opinion Research) for years 2006-2014. Despite rapidly increasing antipathies among wykop.pl users, similar tendencies in nationwide studies were not present. According to CBOS reports, changes in attitudes among polish people were just the opposite - reluctance towards Arabs among Polish decreased during that time. This discrepancy allowed to challenge the belief that accurate prediction of attitudes among Internet users based on results obtained from nationwide survey (and vice versa) is possible