Reporting Diversity Network has been continuously conducting media monitoring of hate speech on a regional level for almost four years. Our latest set of reports show findings from May 2022 until December 2023. Gender identity and ethnicity remain the most targeted identities, as more than half of all recorded cases across the region referred to ethnic hate (28%) and gender-based hate (24%). Political targeting (15%) slightly increased, prevailing hate against sexual minorities (14%) in this reporting period, and becoming the third most targeted group. Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina especially noted a significant increase in share of cases with hate targeting political opponents. The straining of political relations either internally or regionally, conflicts in the world, protests, and elections are common triggers for this type of narrative.  

In nearly a third of documented cases (30%) groups and individuals were targeted for multiple overlapping identities. Intersectional hateful and discriminative discourses are mainly reflected in the most-targeted categories, where someone’s gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation plays a role, even if it is not the sole reason why they are targeted. Moreover, an increase in hate towards journalists and religious groups was noted, as well as a decrease in hate towards migrants and refugees on a regional level. Most hate speech in the region was generated by journalists and media outlets as well as private persons, primarily users on social media platforms, with the same number of cases recorded (28% each), and politicians, state officials and political parties (20%).  

Sparks in political conflicts, mutual visits and meetings of regional leaders or commemorations of specific war crimes or the genocide in Srebrenica often triggered waves of increased ethnic hate. Dominant narratives often included an “us vs. them” dichotomy where the ethnic group constituting the majority is presented as the victim, and ethnic minorities or neighboring nations as a threat and an enemy. Individuals advocating counter-narratives of interethnic cooperation and reconciliation were labelled as “traitors” working against their people and nation. 

Gender-based hate, apart from women, occasionally targeted gender minorities, however generally contained patriarchal and misogynist depictions harmful to societies in the Western Balkans in general. Common narratives included stereotypical representations of women in the media, misogynistic and sexist targeting of women politicians, journalists and other public figures based on their gender rather than their work, extremely harmful unethical and unprofessional reporting on gender-based violence and anti-gender narratives including those undermining already achieved steps in ensuring gender equality and further efforts.  

Homophobic and transphobic narratives contained mainly negative stereotypical depictions, presenting sexualities other than heterosexuality as a sickness or mental disorder and linking them to pedophilia, as well as anti-gender narratives similar to those targeting women. When aimed at the LGBTIQ+ community, these narratives also include presenting gender as an ideology imported from the West and aimed at annihilating the “traditional family values”.  

When it comes to combative and preventive measures taken to address hate speech in this period, many efforts were detected across the region, from grassroots civil society actions and projects implemented by international organisations raising awareness among citizens to media regulation and self-regulation mechanisms in place, and legislative and institutional efforts focusing on this issue. However, many issues prevail in this process, as these actions often lack sustainability and coordination.  

As misinformation, disinformation and malinformation often fuel hate speech, media literacy is becoming a crucial skill not only in recognising these information disorders but also in critically approaching hateful and harmful content. Western Balkan countries are rated quite low in the European Media Literacy Index, with all countries in the region ranking low media literacy index. These issues must be considered in attempts to prevent and combat hate speech.  

Furthermore, as AI technologies are becoming more accessible and widely used, they can play a critical role in both spreading and preventing hate speech. As they use automated content, AI tools can amplify and disperse hate speech as seen in some recorded cases. However, these tools can also be used in combating hate speech if ethically designed, transparent and trained in region-specific languages and context. New technologies must be considered and responsibly integrated in future efforts of monitoring, detecting and countering hateful and harmful content in the digital sphere. 

To learn more about hate speech narratives in the region see country reports: 

MEDIA MONITORING REPORT: A REGIONAL OVERVIEW 

MEDIA MONITORING REPORT ON HATE SPEECH IN ALBANIA   

MEDIA MONITORING REPORT ON HATE SPEECH IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA 

MEDIA MONITORING REPORT ON HATE SPEECH IN KOSOVO 

MEDIA MONITORING REPORT ON HATE SPEECH IN MONTENEGRO 

MEDIA MONITORING REPORT ON HATE SPEECH IN NORTH MACEDONIA 

MEDIA MONITORING REPORT ON HATE SPEECH IN SERBIA 

Throughout the month of March, the RDN monitoring team has detected a range of hateful narratives and discourse. This month, we have seen hatred based on ethnicity, gender and hatred towards journalists and political opponents.

Ethnic hatred in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Klix.ba, the most read web portal in Bosnia and Herzegovina reported on an incident that happened in Sarajevo where a woman was attacked. The article provided details about the attack itself, however, it also mention that members of the Roma community were involved in the incident.

This incident exemplifies highly unprofessional media reporting whereby a journalist from the web portal Klix.ba specifically mentioned the involvement of individuals from the Roma community. Such reporting contributes to a skewed and stigmatised public perception of the Roma community. This is also apparent in the offensive language and prejudiced comments proliferating in the article’s comment section, which served as a platform for the spread of hateful, discriminatory language against the Roma community to go unchallenged.

Minority social groups often receive limited attention from the media and when they are featured, especially in the aftermath of incidents, it tends to worsen discrimination and marginalisation. It’s crucial for the media to exercise sensitivity when reporting on ethnic minorities, avoiding the propagation of hateful or discriminatory rhetoric.

Hatred against political opponents in Montenegro

In the town of Herceg Novi, an effigy with the face of prominent writer Andrej Nikolaidis was burned during the town’s carnival organised by the municipal authorities. Whilst burning his effigy, individuals present shouted insults and hateful comments, which also resulted in numerous hate speech comments being written online.

Andrej Nikolaidis has been the target of many forms of harassment and hate speech as well as threats throughout his life due to his political activism, anti-nationalism, and support for human rights. In reaction to this recent incident of hatred and harassment, PEN International (a worldwide association of writers), the Montenegrin PEN Centre and PEN Bosnia and Herzegovina demanded that the “targeting of prominent writer, journalist and PEN member Andrej Nikolaidis must end at once”. No one regardless of their political stance or opinion should fall victim to harassment and threats of any sort. Furthermore, the organisers and authority of Herceg Novi should not have permitted such violent acts to take place in their town and moreover, should apologise for such behaviour.

Violence towards journalists in Albania

During a media appearance, Syri TV journalist Ambrozia Meta faced a physical attack by Prime Minister Edi Rama when he shoved her face as he refused to answer her questions regarding an investment project linked to Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.

In response to the incident, the SafeJournalists Network, an advocate for press rights in the Western Balkans, labeled Rama’s behaviour as “unacceptable and alarming,” demanding an apology from him. Additionally, the Union of Albanian Journalists publicly supported Ambrozia Meta saying she had the right to question Rama at the press conference. “The Prime Minister not only did not give a concrete answer to the specific question, but… avoided the obligation to give a concrete figure for the possible public benefits of one of the biggest projects in the field of Albanian tourism.”

Nevertheless, despite this, Prime Minister Edi Rama issued a statement on X (formerly Twitter), asserting that he did not regret his actions and refused to apologise. He controversially claimed that “denouncing an imaginary aggression disrespects the true victims of power aggression towards women journalists worldwide,” implying that Ambrozia Meta’s allegations undermine the credibility of actual victims of aggression. This statement attracted many views.

It is important to mention that Prime Minister Edi Rama has clashed with journalists, including Ambrozia Meta, on previous occasions. Any form of physical aggression towards an individual is unacceptable. It is particularly concerning when it involves a prominent and influential figure who serves as a public official, like Edi Rama, addressing journalists in such a manner. He should not only refrain from such behaviour but also issue a sincere apology for his actions.

Hatred towards a former activist and employee in Kosovo

Following a smear campaign against her Advisor on Foreign Policy, EU Enlargement, Western Balkans, and Transparency, Đorđe Bojović,  MEP Viola von Cramon-Taubadel released a statement on her social media account. It reflected her concern about the impact of disinformation campaigns and propaganda on Kosovo’s European integration efforts. She suggested that such campaigns, including the one targeting Bojović, will not serve the interests of Kosovo or its aspirations for rapid progress towards European integration.

Viola von Cramon-Taubadel wrote on her account: “My question: Who will this help? Certainly not to Kosovo and its European integration. Fake news, disinfo campaigns, government propaganda or even a deep fake with bots and trolls will definitely not change anyone’s position, but only weaken (Kosovo’s flag) the chances for rapid progress. It is sad for the country”.

A campaign was launched against Đorđe Bojović after a video of him at an exchange program, , during his time as an activist and former employee of the Youth Initiative for Human Rights, was misused. Individuals who initiated the online campaign claimed that Bojović was denying the war crimes committed in the years ‘98-’99. He responded by attaching a video where he states that certain errors occur when certain crimes committed in Kosovo are labelled as genocide, when in fact they should be categorised as war crimes.

Đorđe Bojović received support from several representatives of Kosovo’s civil society, including Petrit Seljimi and Agon Maliqi, who responded to these attacks by saying that they are bots, that is, sympathizers of the ruling party, which labels all those who dare to criticise the current leadership. After that, several commentators organised a new campaign against Agon Maliqi. In reaction to this, Đorđe Bojović thanked Maliqi for his support. However, there were comments in reaction to Maliqi’s post that claimed he should be expelled from Kosovo and that his passport should be taken away. Former President of Kosovo Atifete Jahjaga also reacted. Commenters predominantly asked her to delete her post.

Furthermore, the Youth Initiative for Human Rights Regional Network released a statement calling for the condemnation of such attacks on Bojović strongly believing “that such attacks are wrong, damaging and should not be tolerated”. The nature of smear campaigns corrode trust and integrity, acting as a barrier to democratic discourse and dialogue.

Sexism in North Macedonia

In the lead up to the next elections in North Macedonia, three women and twelve men were collecting signatures to qualify to run as presidential candidates. However, the disparity between the level of sexism and hate speech faced by the male and female candidates was substantial.

Gender-based hate speech, insults and sexist comments were common in relation to the female candidates in comparison to their male counterparts. In one instance, the portal Kurir published a reel on Facebook from a speech of Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, VMRO- DPMNE candidate for president. Most of the comments she received were negative and sexist. Being the oldest, many of the hateful comments also referred to her age.

In another instance one of the biggest television stations TV21, published a question on its Facebook page with the photos of two candidates running for MP’s from the DUI party (The Democratic Union for Integration). The headline read: “how do you evaluate these selections of DUI?” The publication incited many comments with hateful speech towards females in general and towards the two women in particular.

Negative, hateful, and sexist commentary towards individuals on the basis of their gender is never acceptable. Online abuse can force women out of political engagement, eroding the foundations of equality and democracy.

Targeting of journalists and political opponents in Serbia

After speaking at the Rebedu Festival in Dubrovnik, Croatia, journalist and president of the Independent Journalists’ Association of Vojvodina (NDNV), Ana Lalić, received thousands of threats and insults on social media and her private phone number. Lalić spoke at the panel “In the Jaws of Nationalism” where she said that “extra-Serbization” is happening almost every day in Vojvodina and that the people of Vojvodina are trying to defend themselves from the “gallop of Serbian nationalism”.

Soon after, a manipulated video of another journalist, Dinko Gruhonjić, who spoke at the same festival last year, appeared on social media. This video was instantly followed by a wave of hate speech towards him. Gruhonjić is also a member and the Program Director of NDNV and a professor of the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Novi Sad.

In the controversial misleadingly cut video from last year’s panel at Rebedu, he spoke about the people “who are climbing his genealogical tree”, ironically stating, among other things: “So they even invented the name Sabahudin for me, even though I have a nice name, Dinko, like Dinko Šakić.” After this, the video showed a presentation of who Šakić was – a commander of the Jasenovac concentration camp in the Independent State of Croatia during World War II, where many Serbs, Roma and Jews were tortured and estimated between 77 and 99 thousand were murdered.

Several tabloid pro-regime online portals, including NS Uživo, Republika, Srbija danas, NSuživo, Gradske info and 025, used this part of the video to prove that Gruhonjić “declared that he was proud to be named after Dinko Šakić”, spinning his actual words. In a statement for the fact-checking portal Raskrikavanje, Gruhonjić says that this is not the first time that “nationalists pull him out of the hat” and spin his words and that he has been suffering pressure and attacks on his work for decades. Threats continue to this day, the most notable being a graffiti of a death threat that appeared at the entrance of the building where he lives with his family.

Due to alleged hate speech, a criminal complaint was filed against Gruhonjić. The seemingly organised tabloid chase and hateful comments, including threats of violence and death, he received on social media were followed by condemnations by ultra-right organisations, the former director of the Security Information Agency Aleksandar Vulin, and even the Student Parliaments of the Faculty where he works and the University of Novi Sad. These student bodies demand that Gruhonjić be fired and removed from his position as professor.

After that, the Faculty of Philosophy in Novi Sad suspended work on March 28th after a group of primarily young men broke into the institution at the invitation of the Student Parliament. The group first gathered with banners in front of the faculty, then entered the building, locked the entrance with chains and a padlock and blocked the door with chairs. Students and professors were forced out of the building, which was blocked for four days. Many students and professors gathered with activists and citizens in front of the faculty to support Gruhonjić and defend faculty integrity and autonomy. Some students claimed they did not recognise most people blocking the faculty. Gruhonjić received public support from many colleagues, students, journalist associations, civil society and other individuals and organisations.

In March, young activists were also targeted in tabloid media. Certain media outlets with large audiences play a critical role in targeting journalists, activists, political opponents and those who oppose the regime. Targeting individuals through media is unacceptable and as is the case with Dinko Gruhonjić can be threatening to their safety and livelihood.

Throughout the month of January, the RDN monitoring team has detected a range of hateful narratives and discourse. This month, we have seen hatred based on ethnicity, race, and gender alongside genocide denial.

Racism in Serbia

In Serbia, an Instagram account started posting photos of Black people in Serbia, taken in public without their consent in October last year. This account has garnered increased attention lately, with reports of its hateful content prompting warnings from users, alongside a surge in followers. The description of the account itself reads: “DM if your picture is posted to be removed *(this account is satire)*.” However prior to the account becoming more visible, followers were asked to send in pictures of Black people “with location and time”.

In this way, the creator not only promoted racism and harassment of Black people in public, but also potentially posed a threat to their safety. In addition to this, the creator used racist “jokes”, such as creating fake giveaways of bananas and KFC food, both anti-Black racist tropes. Other posts included jokes that perpetuated anti-Black tropes, like one featuring a woman in a drugstore with the caption “banana or watermelon shampoo?”  An overwhelming number of racist comments could be found under these posts as well, including some that called for violence against Black people, including “How much does this one cost?” and “Where can I buy?”

In response to this, people mass-reported the account and helped to raise awareness about it. This included many Instagram users tagging the Serbian Ministry of Internal Affairs, CSOs, activists etc. Moreover, MDI filed a complaint to META through the Trusted Partner platform against the Instagram account. Shortly afterwards, META responded that they had acted and removed the account. An account like this is extremely harmful and racist. Racism is not acceptable on any grounds and holds no justification. Such accounts perpetuate harmful stereotypes and contribute to division and discrimination, undermining the values of equality and respect for all individuals. Eventually, they can threaten individuals’ safety.

Ethnic hatred in North Macedonia, Kosovo, and Montenegro.

In North Macedonia, university professor Vankovska posted a Facebook status commenting on recent events at the flight control centre where a group of individuals entered and began attacking employees. The professor’s post was written in an ethnically discriminatory manner whereby she begun to insinuate that the incident took place because of the Albanians who live in North Macedonia. She even went as far as to say that now is the time that they show who they really are, claiming that somebody should ‘fly away’, in other words referring to the Albanians and the Albanian party DUI.

This is not the first time that Professor Vankovska has spread nationalistic sentiments and ethnic hatred. This instance is just one of several where she attempts to shift the blame for systemic issues in the country onto the Albanian minority. A university professor spreading ethnic hate on social media undermines academic values, erodes trust, and fosters a divisive atmosphere contrary to the principles of higher education. Moreover, it exacerbates the spread of ethnic hatred within society, particularly in ethnically diverse nations.

In Kosovo, on the occasion commemorating the anniversary of the massacre in the village of Račak, the President of the Committee for Kosovo and Metohija, Milovan Drecun spoke out. The Račak massacre in January 1999 was perpetuated by Serbian security forces in response to Kosovo Liberation Army actions. NATO’s intervention, which included bombing Serbia, followed in the same year.

Drecun stated that it is incomprehensible that “for 25 years there has been insistence on presenting lies as truth and blaming Belgrade for a non-existent massacre”. This statement, as well as statements from other officials, were reported by Kosovo Online. Drecun took the opportunity to criticise the then head of the OSCE Verification Mission William Walker, stating that in a meeting with him and a British general, he saw “how willing these people are to manipulate what happened” and that Walker arrived first in the village of Račak, before journalists, and prepared the “scenario”.

Denial of genocide, massacres and war crimes is unfortunately common in the Western Balkans region. Every year, the commemoration of the Račak massacre is accompanied with denial of the events having taken place including accusations of such massacres being fabricated and fake. Denying massacres and historical events perpetuates dangerous cycles of ignorance and unacceptance, as well as injustice and harm to all those who fell victim to such atrocities. Moreover, it is imperative that politicians, as public figures entrusted with professional and moral responsibilities to represent the people, refrain from making public statements that deny the occurrence of atrocities. Such actions undermine efforts to acknowledge and address historical injustices.

In Montenegro, Dragoslav Šćekić, Vice-President of the Government of Montenegro and Minister of Sports and Youth, recently commented on the success of the Montenegrin handball players. He claimed that one should not celebrate their success, furthermore, implying that the official flag of Montenegro should not have been shown. He explained how the ‘tricolor flag’ was and will be preserved. The tricolor flag has been traditionally used to represent a Montenegrin and Serbian joint state thereby undermining the independent state of Montenegro.

Montenegro is an independent state, which has the right to self-determination and public recognition. Denying its independence is harmful and insulting to all those people who live within Montenegro and are part of its statehood. A public official such as Šćekić should stand for the rights and needs of the population of the country he represents. Remarks that undermine the sovereignty and independence of a nation pose grave harm to its populace, eroding the very foundation of their collective autonomy and self-determination.

Genocide denial in Bosnia and Herzegovina

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, Milorad Dodik, president of Republika Srpska, attended a celebration in Banja Luka held on the unconstitutional Day of Republika Spriska. On this occasion, he denied genocide and furthermore, glorified war criminals claiming, amongst other things, that “Karadžić and Mladić were the people who led Republika Srpska, and you will not convince us that the Serbian people had a genocidal or any criminal urge. We fought for freedom”.

Both Karadžić and Mladić have been convicted of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. Glorifying war criminals is a serious form of hate that not only dishonours the memory of the victims, but also perpetuates a culture of denial of justice. Such glorification normalises horrific acts of violence, undermines reconciliation efforts, and threatens the stability and peace of societies recovering from conflict. Furthermore, genocide denial and other war crimes, including the glorification of war criminals, are prohibited in Bosnia and Herzegovina since 2021. A recent publication by the Srebrenica Memorial Centre – ‘2022 Srebrenica Genocide Denial Report’ – found that during the monitoring period (May 2021 – May 2022), a total of 327 actors had been identified as publicly denying the Srebrenica Massacre. “Among these actors, the most prolific denier of genocide was BiH Presidency Member Milorad Dodik.” Despite genocide denial being illegal in the country, reports on genocide denial have been sent to the prosecutor’s office,but so far no one has been punished for it.

Gender violence in Albania

On Big Brother VIP Albania, a participant by the name of Klodian Duro – an Albanian former football player – was recently eliminated. This was in response to his admission of abusing his wife during one of the episodes. His elimination from the show was most certainly a positive step towards addressing and condemning such behaviour. Nevertheless, despite Duro being removed from the show, it is noteworthy to mention that Top Channel, one of the primary organizers of Big Brother VIP Albania, did not issue a public statement explicitly denouncing violence and promoting a zero-tolerance stance for such actions.

Furthermore, following his expulsion, several news media outlets continued to report on the incident. They not only revealed details of the case but also shared photos of his ex-wife. Rather than fostering a constructive conversation and critique about a TV channel and a program with millions of viewers accepting a participant who was previously convicted of domestic violence, the public witnessed the media playing a role in re-traumatising the victim and completely disregarding her privacy.

This incident reflects the lack of adherence to professional journalistic standards and ethics. This is a prime example of how the media, rather than using their platform to hold others accountable for wrongdoing and educate their audience on the serious topic of domestic violence, is more concerned with clicks and views.