How to recognize and react to hate speech in media reporting?
"Journalists in their work respect, protect and promote fundamental rights and freedoms, and in particular the principle of equality of all citizens. Special responsibility is expected when reporting or commenting on the rights, needs, issues and demands of minority groups. Information on race, color, religious or national affiliation, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression, any physical or mental challenges, marital status, life style, social status, property status or educational level, journalist only states if it is highly relevant in the context of the provided information. It is inadmissible to use stereotypes, pejorative expressions, degrading portrayal, as well as any other form of direct or indirect incitement to or discrimination."
Article 13 of the Code of Honor of Croatian Journalists
Within the activities AGAINST HATE we developed posters and desk-top covers for every newsroom. Material is available at the offices of Centre for Peace Studies and Human Rights House Zagreb at Selska cesta 112 A-C.
Material is developed within the scope of "Against Hate" project financed through Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme (2014-2020). Content is the sole responsibility of Centre for Peace Studies and can in no way reflect the views of the European Commission.
Project implementation is supported by Office for NGOs of the Government and the City of Zagreb.
Key messages we are promoting with AGAINST HATE activities are:
- Hate crime and hate speech are violations of human rights and as such, they need to be firmly sanctioned.
- Hate speech and hate crime can only be tackled through joint effort and cooperation of the whole society by preventive mechanisms such as education and awareness raising and not only by reactive ones such as legal sanctions.
- Hate speech has to have alarming effect on the society as it shows the imbalance / intolerance towards (between) groups in the society. By reacting to it, we can prevent further violence (or escalation of violence) known as hate crime.
- Judicial system and legislation can be utilized more effectively to combat hate speech and hate crime and provide assistance to victims.
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