Description
Unacceptable public speech reported or created in the media contributes to the feeling of insecurity of vulnerable groups and destruction of social cohesion. A lack of public criticism demotivates citizens to protect 'the Others', which results in normalization of hate speech and lowered level of tolerance in the already largely intolerant society. General goal of the project: increase the detection and condemnation of discriminatory speech by CSOs and youth. Specific objectives are: Point to specific examples of various forms of unacceptable public speech; Train CSO representatives and youth to detect and react to discriminatory/hate speech. Expected results: Point to the persons which use hate speech (indicators: no. of identified persons and no. of unacceptable media apearances); Point to the media which uncritically report on or use hate speech themselves (indicators: no. of media identified; no. of uncritically reported statements; no of unacceptable pieces of news in the media); Decreased tolerance and increased critical reaction to unacceptable speech in media (indicators: increased no. of critical reaction in media, no. of project alayses reported in other media); CSOs and youth recognise and react to unacceptable public speech; Pressure on institutions to apply sanctions (indicators: no. of reactions in target groups; no. of coplaints/appeals submitted). Direct benefit will be felt by members of vulnerable groups, and indirect by all citizens.
Summary of project results
Through media monitoring and analysis, actors and media who spread discriminatory messages and encourage animosity towards certain groups were identified. A comparative legal analysis was produced, along with further recommendations. An online system for reporting unacceptable public speech was established, as well as a dedicated Facebook page. The consistent use of instruments for sanctioning hate- and discriminatory speech was encouraged through public reactions and submissions to relevant public authorities. Media pieces were produced covering subjects such as the position of Serbs in Croatian society, Ustaše revivalism, attitudes towards refugees, xenophobia in the media and hate speech directed at the LGBT-population. The beneficiaries of the project were CSOs, media, public institutions, the broader public (as participants of public discussions about unacceptable speech), representatives of academia, students and school pupils (as participants in educational activities). Through writing and publishing the recommendations for the improvement and further action, which were based on media monitoring and analysis and a comparative analysis of international standard and national legislations, the availability of materials on hate speech was ensured to a broader circle of interested stakeholders. DostaJeMrznje.org, the website for simple submissions on cases of hate speech and unacceptable speech in general, remains in function for the long term, enabling a broader circle of stakeholders to monitor the public space. Media pieces published on H-Alter remin available to readers. Through educational activities, a transfer of knowledge on hate speech from the perspectives of various stakeholders was ensured. Contacts were made with other organizations who are interested in cooperating on activities of denormalizing and combating hate speech.
Summary of bilateral results