In Montenegro, political leaders often accuse their opponents of spreading hatred, while simultaneously using identical rhetorical strategies to discredit dissenters.

On the World Day Against Hate Speech, we are releasing a video reminder that due to a lack of understanding of good argumentation standards in the public sphere, politics in our country often gains a negative connotation, being perceived as a realm dominated by insincerity and double standards.

Analyzing negative examples from both recent and distant past, it is easy to conclude that instead of quality exchange of arguments, the public space is dominated by labeling and moral polarization, which calls for active work on improving media literacy and normative reform of public discourse.

To preserve freedom of expression and political dissent as fundamental democratic values, it is necessary to strengthen institutional mechanisms for recognizing and combating hate speech.

You can watch the film “Civic State with Inciting Rhetoric” below.