Redes de ódio e contra-narrativas no Twitter sobre o ataque a igrejas católicas em Algeciras: Dinâmicas de conectividade, influência e polarização.

Social networks have become ideal platforms for the propagation of hate speech. However, they also offer opportunities for the dissemination of counter-narratives, which seek to challenge and counter these expressions of hate. This study analyses the dynamics of hate speech and counter-narratives on Twitter (now X) following the attack on Catholic churches in Algeciras, Spain, in 2023, perpetrated by a Muslim migrant. Using a dataset of over 350,000 tweets, we use Gephi to construct and analyse retweet networks, uncovering structural and dynamic differences between communities that propagatehate and those promoting counter-narratives. In the results we identify and characterise five different types of communities (one counter-narrative and four hate communities). Hate communities aredenser and more cohesive, with influential users playing a central role in amplifying content. However, the harshness of the discourse and characteristics of the network members will also play a role. Counter-narrative networks, while less cohesive, show potential to reach diverse audiences. Polarisation emerges as a key challenge, with minimal interaction between opposing communities, reinforcing echo chambers and limiting the effectiveness of counter-narratives.