Harmful Visual Humour on Far-Right Social Media: Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Reactionary Memes

This chapter discusses the role of harmful visual humour in far-right digital cultures. Drawing on international case studies and illustrative examples, this chapter critically analyses four key manifestations of harmful visual humour online: 1) The weaponization of generative artificial intelligence (AI), 2) reactionary memes, 3) gendered visual humour, and 4) visual mis-and-disinformation. This chapter demonstrates how visual humour is strategically used to launder highly ideological, exclusionary, and harmful messages within digital contexts. It suggests that although harmful visual humour is not exclusive to the far right, its proliferation within far-right digital cultures is particularly noteworthy. The chapter concludes by considering the implications of harmful visual humour for democracy, governance and regulation, and an inclusive public sphere.