incitement

Incitement is the act of urging, persuading, or encouraging others to commit wrongdoing, particularly violence or crimes. It can take the form of spoken words, written statements, online posts, slogans, or organizational calls to action. Some jurisdictions distinguish incitement from general advocacy or opinion by focusing on intent to prompt others to break the law and on the likelihood that such action will be taken.

Legal treatment varies by jurisdiction. In many countries, incitement to violence or crime is a criminal offense, though it often requires proof of intent and a proximate risk that the act will occur. In the United States, the standard set by Brandenburg v. Ohio protects advocacy unless it is directed to inciting or producing imminent lawless action and is likely to do so. Other systems may criminalize direct incitement to genocide or incitement to hatred under specific statutes.

Examples include urging a crowd to riot, calling for violent attacks on a person or group, or distributing detailed instructions that facilitate lawbreaking. Digital platforms may also be scrutinized for failures to remove incitement content, which can be addressed under platform policies or national laws against hate speech or terrorism-related incitement.

Free speech concerns are central to debates over incitement. Prohibitions seek to prevent harm while preserving legitimate expression, and courts often examine factors such as intent, the speaker's target, the immediacy of the proposed act