no. 07-00-714/2025-02 date: 19.12.2025.

OPINION

The opinion was issued in proceedings based on a complaint filed by the citizens’ association Roma Forum of Serbia against TV Informer, due to discrimination against Roma. The complaint states that during a program broadcast on TV Informer on 16 August 2025, a guest stated: “I have asked this question a thousand times and it’s all connected: why do Roma have permission, why are Roma who ride horses in the center of Belgrade not sanctioned, why are they allowed to drive unregistered, partially functional motor cultivators, to harness four half-dead animals and drive like that through the city?” and instead of the host interrupting such speech and protecting the dignity of the Roma community, she confirmed it by saying: “Yes, that’s true, and why does the social welfare center give them money, while people who are not Roma have to submit applications.” The complaint was submitted to TV Informer with a request for a response. As this television station did not respond to the allegations in the complaint within the prescribed deadline, the Commissioner considered the allegations in the complaint and the submitted evidence. By reviewing the recording of the program submitted with the complaint, it was established that the allegations in the complaint regarding what was said on that occasion were confirmed. With regard to the content of the program identified by the complainant as disputed, it can be concluded that the host of the program not only failed to warn the guest, but by her statement, contrary to the standards of due journalistic care required under regulations in the field of information and media, encouraged stereotypes and prejudices and created a humiliating and offensive environment for the entire Roma community, which is one of the most discriminated-against social groups. Taking into account the above, as well as the overall position of this marginalized social group toward which social distance is among the greatest in society, and the regulations and standards in the field of protection against discrimination, the Commissioner, applying the rules on the burden of proof, issued an opinion that TV Informer violated the provisions of Article 12 in conjunction with Article 24 of the Law on the Prohibition of Discrimination. TV Informer was given a recommendation to familiarize journalists employed by this television station with the opinion of the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, as well as to organize training for these employees on the concept and forms of discrimination and on the position and problems of members of the Roma national minority, and in the future to ensure that it does not violate regulations on the prohibition of discrimination.

COMMISSIONER FOR THE PROTECTION OF EQUALITY

Milan Antonijević