Freedom of expression and hate speech

This report prepared by the Institute of Journalism, Media and Communications in Skopje with the support of OSCE is intended for journalism students as well as the general public. It examines the tiny line distinguishing the right to freedom of expression from hate speech practices, defamation and insult. It does so by presenting the broad regulatory framework defining the legal definition and protection of the right to freedom of expression. References are made to the UN system of protection, as well as to the Council of Europe and European Union provisions in this field. The legal framework of Macedonia is considered as a specific case study of a national legal framework. A general definition of hate speech, as well as distinctive elements qualifying a hate speech discourse (intention, content, consequence) are analyzed in order to develop strategies to clearly identify practices of hate speech.