Podgorica, (MINA) - Democracy cannot exist without freedom of speech, but also without awareness of its limitations, it was said at the conference organized by the Human Rights and Freedoms Protector, and it was assessed that public figures, politicians and other senior officials have a special responsibility, because they reach a larger audience through public appearances.

 

 

Minister of Culture and Media Tamara Vujovic said that freedom of expression is one of the fundamental pillars of a democratic society, as well as a key requirement for its development.

She said that hate speech represents the most radical form of abuse of freedom of expression, stating that it is very often challenging to determine the boundary between freedom of expression and hate speech.

According to Vujovic, statements made by public figures, especially if they are made via the media or the Internet, have a greater and more significant impact on the puplic than the speech, comments or opinions of citizens, and that is precisely why public figures should condemn every instance of hate speech and thereby send a message that it is unacceptable.

Vujovic pointed out that the formation of a national network for the fight against misinformation and hate speech is planned in the coming months, as a response to this phenomenon.

 

 

 

Ombudsman Sinisa Bjekovic said that the institution of the Human Rights and Freedoms Protector often addressed the public with statements aimed at shedding light on both dark and bright sides of reality.

Bjekovic stated that the Ombudsman cannot react to every incident.

“The software, supported by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), registered two million instances of expressions that resemble hate speech, between July to December last year. There is no ombudsman or a machine that could react to each specific case and condemn or otherwise attempt to eliminate such speech”, added Bjekovic.

 

 

Head of the UNICEF office in Montenegro, Michele Servadei, said that freedom of expression is indeed one of the foundations of every democratic society.

Servadei emphasized that the participation of children and adolescents is not just a decorative addition to social cohesion, but should be its foundation.

He said that young people, at a time when hate speech is spreading rapidly, are not only a group that needs to be protected.

“They are also part of the solution, and we must really understand that. The way we shape public discourse today determines what kind of society children will have tomorrow”, emphasized Servadei.