How can space for dialogue be preserved in increasingly polarised societies, and how can public discourse be shaped around respect for diversity rather than division and exclusion? These were the key questions explored during the panel discussion “Public Discourse in Times of Polarisation: How Can We Preserve Space for Dialogue?”, held today in Novi Sad to mark the International Day for Countering Hate Speech.
The event brought together representatives of institutions, international organisations, academia, the media, civil society and young people to discuss the role of different actors in building a more tolerant and inclusive society.
Opening the event, Milan Antonijević, Commissioner for the Protection of Equality of the Republic of Serbia, stressed that the danger of hate speech lies in its ability to degrade and dehumanise individuals and groups, while creating an environment of exclusion, fear and division.
“Today, more than ever, it is important to distinguish between disagreement and hatred. Disagreement is normal, criticism is legitimate, and protest is a democratic right. But humiliation, dehumanisation and calls for discrimination and violence must never be acceptable. When we reduce people to labels, we stop seeing them as human beings – and that is precisely when the most dangerous divisions in society begin,” Antonijević said.
According to Matilde Mordt, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Serbia, hate speech is never merely “a collection of words”.
“It damages social cohesion, undermines trust and can create conditions in which discrimination, hostility and even violence become more likely. Addressing hate speech requires accountability, education, credible counter-narratives and ensuring that everyone can participate in public life without fear or exclusion. The answer is not silence, but a commitment to human rights, dialogue and equal dignity for all,” said Mordt.
Plamena Halacheva, Deputy Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Serbia, noted that in today's world hate speech is often disguised as an expression of democracy, but that it is essential to be clear and unequivocal: freedom of expression is not, and must never be, equated with hate speech.
“Hate speech is never just a collection of offensive words. Words carry weight. They can hurt, make someone feel less worthy, unwelcome or unsafe. They can leave deep and lasting, sometimes even fatal, consequences. That is why it is important to speak openly about this issue and not remain silent. We may not always have the perfect response, but we must clearly state that hate has no place in our societies. Sometimes that means speaking out publicly, sometimes supporting a person who has been targeted, and sometimes simply saying: this is not right,” Halacheva emphasised.
János Babic, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Belgrade, referred to the latest annual report of the Council of Europe’s European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI), which warns that hate speech is increasingly being normalised and trivialised across Europe, both in public discourse and online.
“ECRI underlines that such trends threaten not only the individuals and groups targeted, but also trust in democratic institutions and social cohesion,” Babic stressed.
During the panel discussion, participants reflected on the challenges posed by polarisation and hate speech in the public sphere and explored how institutions, media, civil society organisations and young people can contribute to creating space for open and responsible dialogue. Discussions focused on the boundaries between freedom of expression and hate speech, the factors shaping public discourse, the role of media and education in fostering understanding of diversity, and ways to strengthen a culture of dialogue in which disagreements do not lead to discrimination and exclusion.
Moderated by Nedeljka Ivošević, the panel featured Prof. Dr Dinko Gruhonjić, Associate Professor at the Department of Media Studies of the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Novi Sad; Milica Janjatović Jovanović, Project Coordinator at the Novi Sad School of Journalism; Boris Kojčinović, a student at the University of Novi Sad; Kosana Beker, Programme Director of FemPlatz; and Monika Mitrović from the Association of Young Volunteers.
Following the discussion, the international exhibition The Tolerance Project was officially opened. Created by renowned designer Mirko Ilić, this global initiative promotes tolerance, respect for diversity and a culture of dialogue through art. The exhibition features works by designers from around the world and has been presented in more than 40 countries. It forms part of the broader Tolerance campaign implemented by the United Nations in Serbia, the Council of Europe Office in Belgrade and the Delegation of the European Union to Serbia.
The event was organised by the United Nations in Serbia, the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality of the Republic of Serbia, the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Serbia, Europe House Novi Sad and the Council of Europe within the framework of the Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye, with the aim of raising awareness of the harmful consequences of hate speech and promoting the shared values of tolerance, equality and mutual respect.
