Shrinking or expanding access to civic space? The consequences of hate speech, threats and harassment within Swedish civil society

Figures & data

Table 1. Coping responses to hate speech, threats and harassment against civil society actors and potential consequences.

Coping responses	Individual responses	Coordinated responses	Potential consequences for civil society
Avoidance responses	Not wearing symbols in public spaces Not being visible in media Only using general e-mail addresses Removing all personal information (no names, pictures, phone numbers) on websites and on social media Removing all personal information about family members on social media Not sharing anything private or personal on websites and social media Letting communicators or civil society leaders on a national level make statements and be visible instead Not using social media	Not wearing symbols in public spaces Higher thresholds for events (e.g., no open lectures, check membership) Not being visible in media Using the intranet or private Facebook-group for member communication and public social media channels for communication with the public Not advertising events, workshops, or lectures Only using general e-mail addresses Removing all personal information (no names, pictures, phone numbers) on websites and on social media No comment fields Letting communicators or civil society leaders on a national level make statements and be visible instead Not using social media	Shrinking access to civic space Restricted autonomy
Passive responses	Self-silencing and self-censorship (e.g., not being visible in public debates, not writing or say something, being less critical, more cautious, taking on less contentious issues)	Self-silencing and self-censorship (e.g., not being visible in public debates, not writing or say something, being less critical, more cautious, taking on less contentious issues)	Shrinking access to civic space Restricted autonomy
Resistance responses	More determined to fight hate speech, threats and harassment Organizing collective actions	Speaking collectively (not alone) To be a ‘salt’ i.e., being contentious Being more visible in the public sphere, but being visible together	Defending or expanding access to civic space Defending and expanding autonomy
Approach responses	Report incidents to the police when there are severe attacks Report to the police when property is damaged Develop preventive strategies before events	Report incidents to the police when there are severe attacks Report to the police when property is damaged Develop preventive strategies before events Collaborate with other actors	Defending or expanding access to civic space Defending or expanding autonomy