Journal for Deradicalization (Sep 2024)
Podcast Patriots: How Far-Right Women Podcasters Shaped the Narrative Around the January 6 Insurrection
Abstract
Women play a crucial role in softening and mainstreaming the far right’s appearance to the general population despite being less visible on the frontlines of radical or extremist events. This phenomenon has become increasingly apparent through audio-based content. With low barriers to entry and ease of creation, far-right women have increasingly relied on podcasts to mainstream their ideologies. However, this method of dissemination remains understudied in comparison to its reach. Accordingly, this research analyzes the ways four women-hosted far-right podcasts in the United States used their platform to speak about the January 6, 2021, Capitol Hill insurrection. Through the use of frame theory, this research demonstrates that the podcasters fail to acknowledge the insurrection as a significant issue, instead opting to deflect the greater blame onto left-leaning social movements, the government, and the mainstream media. Furthermore, this research shows that the podcasters use strong fear-mongering tactics and provide calls to action to remedy a perceived left stronghold. Throughout, the podcasters invoke patriotic sentiments, setting a narrative of allegiance and responsibility that mobilizes their listeners to act against a perceived enemy. This research contributes to the discourse on far-right social media influencers, suggesting the need for a distinct classification for far-right influencers who disseminate content with an explicit, far-right extremist political angle, as it can avoid the oversimplification of gender roles with these movements, as well as the misconception that women within these groups share uniform beliefs and behaviours. Finally, this research proposes the development of targeted prevention and counter-measures using inoculation theory and frame theory, emphasizing the essential integration of gender dynamics within P/CVE efforts.
