# Online hate, party responsibility and political tribute

Source URL: https://polimeme.com/discussion/thread_30fd01106eddc3f4
First seen: 2026-08-24 11:40 UTC · Latest activity: 2026-08-28 10:08 UTC
7 core pieces, 2 related pieces

## Summary

Parties and public figures face pressure to condemn abuse, threats and violent rhetoric, especially when their own supporters amplify it. One line demands clear distance from hate and selective memory in tributes, while another defends open disagreement and warns against narrowing political speech too far.

## Core contention

Should parties and public figures sharply denounce online hate and distance themselves from violent rhetoric, or protect a broad space for provocative political speech and disagreement?

## Argument map

1. Right-wing tributes to Dolly Parton omit her rights work, so selective praise cannot erase the political distance. — Frauke Steffens, New York (FAZ), Zina Al-Dewany (Aftonbladet)
2. Parties should condemn abuse and threats in their own ranks; silence normalises violence and weakens participation. — Thea Joramo Lysne (Agenda Magasin), Thea Joramo Lysne (Dagsavisen), Ola Svenneby (Dagsavisen)
3. The online hate problem grows from inequality, media incentives and algorithms, so moderation alone will not fix it. — Linn Stalsberg (Agenda Magasin)

## Fault line

The split is between stronger moral and party discipline online, and a wider tolerance for harsh speech and conflict.

## New element

Recent voices now tie the issue to concrete threats against politicians and to the boundary of legitimate debate, not only to general tone.

## European relevance

European parties face the same tension between platform abuse, leader discipline and free-speech limits, especially in polarized national campaigns.

## Distinct theses in this debate

- Parton’s values and actions made her incompatible with MAGA’s self-image, so right-wing tributes rely on selective omission
- Dolly Parton shows that one can be broadly beloved and still support rights causes; in a polarized era, silence is itself political.
- Strong public condemnation of abuse is necessary, especially from one's own political camp, and normalizing violent rhetoric risks democratic participation.
- Economic inequality, political rhetoric, media incentives, and platform algorithms together help turn political frustration into organized hatred and sympathy for hard-right politics.
- The normalisation of violent rhetoric online is dangerous, and figures like Sylvi Listhaug and FrP should actively distance themselves from it rather than remaining silent or ambiguous.
- A vigorous public debate can be legitimate even when a politician is provocative, but the level of threats against Skjervø makes it necessary to listen to his concerns and consider measures against online hate.

## Pieces

- 2026-08-28 10:08 UTC — [Nach Tod von Dolly Parton: MAGA will Dolly für sich](https://www.faz.net/aktuell/feuilleton/debatten/wie-trump-und-die-maga-bewegung-dolly-parton-vereinnahmen-201166568.html) — Frauke Steffens, New York (FAZ) [de]
- 2026-08-27 04:00 UTC — [Dolly Parton kan bli den sista som älskas av alla](https://www.aftonbladet.se/ledare/a/GxnpgV/dolly-parton-kan-bli-den-sista-som-alskas-av-alla) — Zina Al-Dewany (Aftonbladet) [sv]
- 2026-08-24 09:55 UTC — [Mer Kardemomme by i kommentarfeltene, takk](https://agendamagasin.no/debatt/mer-kardemomme-by-i-kommentarfeltene-takk) — Thea Joramo Lysne (Agenda Magasin) [no]
- 2026-08-19 07:00 UTC — [Hvor kommer forakten på nettet fra?](https://agendamagasin.no/kommentarer/hvor-kommer-forakten-pa-nettet-fra) — Linn Stalsberg (Agenda Magasin) [no]
- 2026-08-24 04:00 UTC — [Mer Kardemomme by i kommentarfeltene, takk](https://www.dagsavisen.no/kommentar/mer-kardemomme-by-i-kommentarfeltene-takk/10490385) — Thea Joramo Lysne (Dagsavisen) [no]
- 2026-08-17 17:09 UTC — [Behandlingen Skjervø blir møtt med, er rett og slett uakseptabel](https://www.dagsavisen.no/debatt/noe-ma-sies-om-gaute-borstad-skjervo/10483430) — Ola Svenneby (Dagsavisen) [no]
- 2026-08-26 15:30 UTC — [Også når hensikten er god, må vi tørre å spørre hvor grensen skal gå](https://www.dagsavisen.no/debatt/den-lille-diktatoren-i-hodet/10495004) — Timofey Postovoy null (Dagsavisen) [no]

### Related

- 2026-08-26 17:49 UTC — [Lisa Magnusson: Dolly Parton var inte feg – bara ovanlig i vår tid](https://www.dn.se/ledare/lisa-magnusson-dolly-parton-var-inte-feg-bara-ovanlig-i-var-tid) — Lisa Magnusson (Dagens Nyheter) [sv]
- 2026-08-17 10:37 UTC — [Hvor kommer forakten på nettet fra?](https://agendamagasin.no/kommentarer/hvor-tar-de-sin-forakt-fra) — Linn Stalsberg (Agenda Magasin) [no]