This regional conference is organized in the framework of the EU-UNESCO project “Media Accountability in South East Europe”. The overall goal is to enhance freedom of expression, to promote dialogue, democracy and development in South East Europe through fostering ethical and professional standards in journalism.

 

The conference aims at tackling the issue of online hate speech in South East Europe given the continuing challenge faced in identifying ways to reconcile the need to protect and promote the right to freedom of opinion and expression, on the one hand, and to combat discrimination and incitement to hatred, on the other. In the post-conflict situation of the South East European region, hate speech is a common challenge for most countries. In addition, as online media are gaining in importance, this development implies particular challenges when it comes to hate speech. 

 

Prior to the conference, through the financial support of the European Commission, a research was conducted in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo (UNSCR1244), FYR Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Turkey. With the additional sponsorship of the Norwegian government and the Ethical Journalism Network an identical research project was completed in the other six SEENPM countries: Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Moldova, Romania, and Slovenia. The regional research coordinated by the Albanian Media Institute identified the main trends regarding hate speech in online media and described the measures undertaken by media and other organizations to address the situation, their efficiency and impact on freedom of expression. The research also served as a basis for national roundtable discussions in Belgrade, Podgorica, Pristina, Skopje, Istanbul, and Tirana in May-September 2013.

 

Based on the outcome of the research and the results of the national roundtable discussions, the regional event in Sarajevo will provide an opportunity for the participants to exchange experience and good practices on how to address hate speech in online media. A special focus will be put on media self-regulatory mechanisms. This event will, therefore, serve as a venue to assess the current situation of media accountability in the region and share success stories on the know-how of establishing and running independent press councils in transitional societies.

 

The event is expected to gather over sixty participants among others media practitioners, researchers, legal experts, the representatives of press councils, and policy makers.