Krstić, I. (2020), Report on the use of hate speech in Serbian media, Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, Belgrade, 30 December 2020.

Country

Serbia

Title

Krstić, I. (2020), Report on the use of hate speech in Serbian media, Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, Belgrade, 30 December 2020.

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Year

2020

Type of publication

Report

Geographical coverage

National

Area/location of interest

Not applicable - national level

Type of Institution

National human rights body

Institution

Serbia, Commissioner for the Protection of Equality | Poverenik za zaštitu ravnopravnosti

Main Thematic Focus

Hate speech

Target Population

General population

Key findings

Serbia has a solid legal framework for combating hate speech. However, the protection mechanisms are not effective and dissuasive. Hate speech is rarely prosecuted and courts tend to rule in favor of freedom of expression. National equality body faces a problem of overlapping definitions of hate speech and harassment in its complaint procedure. Media regulatory bodies do not use all available means to suppress hate speech. Not many analyzed media texts featured hate speech, but many expressed negative feelings towards Albanians, Croatians, Bosniaks, Montenegrins, thus increasing social distance towards these groups. Serbia needs to improve its media space, align hate speech definition with ECRI’s Recommendation No. 15, and strengthen prevention and protection mechanisms.

Methodology (Qualitative/Quantitative and exact type used, questionnaires etc)

Qualitative analysis of media reporting and selected case law. The media monitoring covered the period 20 November - 20 December 2020, but the report also refers to the period before this date in order to show the persisting problem of hate speech. The report is also based on desk research of international and domestic regulations and reports, as well as on structured interviews with stakeholders.

Sample details and representativeness

Not applicable

DISCLAIMERThe information presented here is collected under contract by the FRA's research network FRANET. The information and views contained do not necessarily reflect the views or the official position of the FRA.