Young people in minority communities call on central and local governments to not admit hate speech in the media

In light of UN Special Rapporteur’s recommendations for the Republic of Moldova concerning the minorities’ issues, special attention should be paid to the extension and consolidation of media coverage in minority languages. The report stresses the need to double the country’s efforts to make sure that state institutions can respond in the state language or in minority languages.

In this context, the young people have initiated a dialogue on minority issues between state representatives, the civil society, international partners and the media. A dialogue that should empower and strengthen the capacity of minorities’ representatives in the regions, including ATU Gagauzia, Taraclia and the Transnistrian region. And last but not least, the event aims to promote the decentralization of the decision-making process addressing minority rights.

Dafina Gercheva, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Permanent Representative in Moldova, said that "In 2015, UN member states unanimously adopted Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development. The main objective of Agenda 2030 is to leave no one behind. Minorities in many countries, including the Republic of Moldova, are often excluded. However, we want governments to eliminate gaps in communication with ethno-linguistic and religious minorities in their countries. "

Within the forum, special attention was also given to hostile language towards minority communities used in the media. Young people have come up with solutions to increase the responsible approach in the media and social networks. The young people talked about the fact that media institutions should identify irresponsible, incomplete and discriminatory messages and draw their attention to the public by counteracting them by providing accurate and diverse information materials. In addition, forum participants suggested media representatives at the event that they should take into account the diversity of opinions and attitudes within minority communities when they refer to them in the media.

"According to our observations, as well as the observations of our partners, there is a lot hostility towards minorities in the mass media of the Republic of Moldova. At the same time, according to the recommendations of the Special Rapporteur, the government should create versions in minority languages for its official sites. We would like to focus our efforts on these issues, we want to make state organizations and agencies and local media more friendly to our minority communities," said Taisia ​​Camenschi, Youth Platform for Solidarity.

At the end of the event, the forum participants prepared and adopted the text of a resolution that will be addressed to all agencies and state institutions.