Slovakia / The Council for Broadcasting and Retransmission

Country

Slovakia

Title

Slovakia / The Council for Broadcasting and Retransmission

View full Case

Year

2017

Decision/ruling/judgment date

Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Incident(s) concerned/related

Incitement to violence or hatred

Related Bias motivation

Race/Ethnicity
Religion

Groups affected

Muslims
Migrants

Court/Body type

High regulatory authority

Court/Body

The Council for Broadcasting and Retransmission (Rada pre vysielanie a retransmisiu (RVR)

Key facts of the case

The Council for Broadcasting and Retransmission (RVR) fined the broadcaster of Žilina-based Radio Frontinus for a talk show attended by Milan Mazurek, MP of the far-right People’s Party – Our Slovakia (ĽSNS). The talk show was broadcast on 2 October 2016. The RVR claimed it was not impartial as Mazurek was the only guest. Moreover, RVR also sanctioned the radio with a notice of law violation for Mazurek’s offensive statements against Roma and Muslim migrants.

Main reasoning/argumentation

Frontinus Ltd. violated the Section 19 1b) of the Law no. 308/2000 Coll. On broadcasting and retransmission by broadcasting a program Discussion via phone call on its radio service of Radio Frontinus on 2 October 2016 around 9:34, within which the prohibition of hidden forms of incitement was violated by statements representing Muslim immigrants as a danger.

Is the case related to the application of the Framework Decision on Racism and Xenophobia, the Racial Equality Directive?

Key issues (concepts, interpretations) clarified by the case

The body (Council for Broadcasting and Retransmission interpreted the statements presented on radio broadcasting as incitement to hatred.

Results (sanctions, outcome) and key consequences or implications of the case

The radio received a sanction - fine in the amount of 15,000Euros. Mr Mazurek (MP) has been also investigated by the police for his statements on Radio Frontinus.

Key quotation in original language and its unofficial translation into English with reference details

"... že dňa 2. 10. 2016 o cca 9:34 hod. odvysielal na rozhlasovej programovej službe Rádio Frontinus program Debata na telefón, v ktorom došlo v .....vyjadrení o nebezpečenstve, ktoré predstavuje skupina islamských imigrantov k porušeniu zákazu skrytou formou podnecovať nenávisť na základe viery a náboženstva."

"...by broadcasting a program Discussion via phone call on its radio service of Radio Frontinus on 2 October 2016 around 9:34, within which the prohibition of hidden forms of incitement was violated by statements representing Muslim immigrants as a danger. "

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