SEEMO Alarmed by Hate Speech over Macedonian-Albanian Ethnic Clashes

The Vienna-based South and East Europe Media Organization (SEEMO) has condemned all forms of hate speech, and has expressed concerns over the recent reappearance of ethnic labeling in the Republic of Macedonia.

In a special statement to the media, SEEMO pointed out Thursday that following a series of incidents at the beginning of March 2102, involving the local Macedonian and Albanian populations, media in Macedonia in both languages insisted on pointing out the ethnic background of the aggressors when describing the incidents.

According to some observers, the situation got out of control, the media organization said.

SEEMO supports the 10 March 2012 statement of the Association of Journalists of Macedonia (ZNM), which appeals to journalists for greater responsibility in their reporting and reminds them that "journalists shall not use hate speech and shall not incite violence anddiscrimination on any grounds: national, religious, racial, gender, political..."

"SEEMO is an organization that protects press freedom and journalists. Yet, I also remind all journalists that they have to follow professional standards of reporting and be aware of their responsibilities. Inciting ethnic conflict goes against any code of ethics. Media have had a very negative role in inciting ethnic hatred in the former Yugoslavia and we have to be very vigilant and react to the first signs of hatespeech," declared SEEMO Secretary General Oliver Vujovic.

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