The media has a great influence on the formation of public opinion and social awareness. However, we often face a major challenge: the use of hate speech against the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities. This phenomenon has serious consequences in the Kosovar society, which directly affects these communities, promoting division and discrimination, a phenomenon that the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities face every day. It is important that the media promotes respected language and instead includes different forms with which communities are motivated and encouraged to be as much a part of institutional life, both central and local, being that precisely these institutions make important legal decisions that regulate the life of each citizen of the Republic of Kosovo.
In the media, we often encounter abuse of the language hatred against the Roma, Egyptian Ashkali communities. This includes insults, negative stereotypes and initiation of hatred towards these members. This phenomenon not only affects the emotions of affected individuals, but also increases tensions between communities and contributes to the creation of an unbearable climate of hatred.
Members of the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities are not enchanted. "Magjup" is a pejorative, derogatory, degrading and insulting term that offends the members of these three communities, and this very term already accompanies these communities every day, and the media itself in such cases promotes such language used by certain individuals. The use of hate speech should not be done against any community or individual. Respecting diversity and communicating consciously is essential for a peaceful society where everyone is included. Since the media has a great influence on these perceptions, it sometimes unwittingly or intentionally contributes to the promotion of hate speech, starting from the reflection of life, promoting and messages of hate, reinforcing negative stereotypes by using discriminatory language or by transmitted mixed images. This can lead to further discrimination and division. Since the media is supposed to have the role of information and education, it can in most cases contribute to public education and awareness about the values of diversity and tolerance, promoting different mechanisms that can influence the softening of language hatred. The importance of the role of media in relation to this phenomenon is highly emphasized. The media is supposed to be responsible and careful about how it deals with the issues of the Roma communities, the Egyptian Ashkali.
A deep analysis of this problem leads us to the question: what measures should be taken to oppose this harmful phenomenon?
Monitoring and recording cases: Media and state institutions should always build systems for monitoring and reporting the use of hate speech in the media. This action will help identify problems and create databases for deeper analysis, even though the anti-discrimination platform has already been created.
Professional capacity building: Journalists and editors should be treated with specialized awareness programs on issues of discrimination and hate speech against the Roma, Ashkali Egyptian communities. Journalists should always have sufficient knowledge about the identity of each community so as not to create confusion among the rest of the majority regarding the culture and tradition of the communities. This will help improve the quality of information and avoid hate speech.
An international cooperation to counter the use of hate speech in the media can be effective. International organizations and government authorities must make joint efforts to combat this global phenomenon.
Public awareness: Communities and non-governmental organizations should be active in public awareness about the consequences of hate speech. Campaigns or educational awareness campaigns and dialogue between communities are essential in this process.
Legal mechanisms: States should take care to create and enforce strong laws that criminalize the use of hate speech in the media. This mechanism can influence the behavior change of the media and individuals who use hate speech.
The use of hate speech in the media is a challenge that requires an urgent response. By taking the above measures, we can help build a more just and tolerant society, where every individual feels respected and protected from the initiation of racial hatred.
This editorial is written with the financial support of the European Union within the project “Combating Discrimination, Hate Speech and Gender-Based Violence”. The content of this publication is the responsibility of ATRC, IKS and D4D and in no way can be considered as the position of the European Union.