The study explores the hate speech phenomenon, examines cases of hate speech throughout Southeast Europe, provides recommendations and describes mechanisms for fighting against and preventing it.
A new publication ”Media regulatory authorities and hate speech” was launched in in July 2017. It is addressed to media professionals, civil servants dealing with media and human rights, judges, prosecutors and human rights defenders, civil society and academia.
Aiming at promoting freedom of expression, the study explores the hate speech phenomenon, examines cases of hate speech throughout Southeast Europe, provides recommendations and describes mechanisms for fighting against and preventing it. It is complemented by overviews of legal frameworks of covered jurisdictions (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”, Kosovo*, Montenegro and Serbia) and relevant case-law of the European Court of Human Rights.
The aim of this publication is to contribute to a wider understanding of the concept of hate speech, to offer a starting point in terms of providing recommendations and mechanisms for fighting against and preventing it, and to facilitate further efforts and initiatives. It should represent a useful and important tool in further activities of not only media regulatory bodies, but within the discourse of wider societal stakeholders.
The publication was prepared in the framework of the implementation of the Council of Europe and the European Union Joint Programme “Reinforcing Judicial Expertise on Freedom of Expression and the Media in South-East Europe (JUFREX)”.
* All references to Kosovo, whether to the territory, institutions or population, in this text, shall be understood in full compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 and without prejudice to the status of Kosovo.
