The Protector of Human Rights and Freedoms of Montenegro condemned every example of hate speech in connection with the Cetinje tragedy that is posted on social networks and certain portals and expressed his deep disappointment that the unfathomable extent of the pain was not a sufficient limit to prevent such an event from being used to deepen divisions and spread hatred.
"Pending an urgent reaction from the competent state authorities regarding examples such as those that reached the general public today (texts published on the Aktuelno portal), we appeal to the media to respect professional standards and laws, and to administer comments on their portals and Considering the role and importance of journalism in society, the professionalism of the majority of Montenegrin media in reporting on the tragic event in Cetinje was discussed these days is on social networks, which also belong to the public space in which the individual is responsible for posts that exceed the limits of freedom of expression," the institution of the Protector announced.
They also point out that the problem is also the situation where disputed texts are transferred to other portals and profiles at high speed in order to draw the public's attention to the inadmissible messages they send, so these interpretations spread and/or encourage a new wave of illegal content and comments.
"That is why it is almost impossible to register all the examples that happened in the previous days, especially on private profiles, if they are not pointed out to the competent authorities. Although we have previously called for this senseless crime not to be a reason for division on any basis, yet We once again appeal to all users of social networks to refrain from comments that incite and spread hatred, intolerance, unverified or illegal content, and to respect the victims and the pain of their loved ones.
The media, which has more responsibility for the public word, is important to remain allies of the institutions in creating an atmosphere in which everyone is allowed to express an opinion, ask a question and get an answer, but in a way that does not endanger other human rights and freedoms.
"Although freedom of expression is the foundation of every democratic society, it is not an absolute right, which means that it is subject to restrictions. We remind you that hate speech, as a form of discrimination, is defined by Article 9a of the Law on Prohibition of Discrimination as "any form of expression of ideas, claims, information and opinions that spreads, incites, incites or justifies discrimination, hatred or violence against a person or group of persons because of their personal characteristics, xenophobia, racial hatred, anti-Semitism or other forms of hatred based on intolerance, including intolerance expressed in the form of nationalism, discrimination and hostility against minorities." At the same time, hate speech is implicitly recognized in the Criminal Code of Montenegro and the Law on Public Order and Peace," the statement concludes.
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