No. 07-00-88/2015-02 date: 24 June 2015

OPINION

The opinion was issued in the procedure following a complaint filed by organization “R.” from B. against daily newspaper “I.” due to the cover pages published in daily newspaper “I.” dated 11 and 20 October 2014 – “Shiptar Spider Caught” and “Edi Rama Shiptar with No Shame”. The Commissioner for the Protection of Equality determined that, after an incident on a football match between Serbia and Albania and a visit of the Albanian Prime Minister, numerous media reported about these events, including daily newspaper “I“. In the course of the procedure was determined that, for almost half a century, calling the Albanian people “Shiptars” in Serbia has been considered to be offensive, to insult members of this national minority, and that the use of this term may, particularly in conflicts, encourage intolerance towards the Albanian people and members of the Albanian national minority. Such a manner of reporting, supported by a colloquial and defamatory name for an ethnic group, deepens the gap between members of the Albanian national minority and the majority population, provoking repulsiveness towards male and female Albanians in the majority population, a feeling of insecurity in members of the Albanian national minority, as well as labelling of their entire community. The Commissioner for the Protection of Equality issued an opinion that texts “Shiptar Spider Caught” and “Edi Rama Shiptar with No Shame”, published on the cover pages of daily newspaper “I.“ dated 11 and 20 October 2014, that is, the use of term “Shiptar” violated dignity of members of the Albanian national minority, therefore, violating the provisions of the Law on the Prohibition of Discrimination. For this reason, a recommendation was issued to daily newspaper “I.” not to publish articles in the future that insult dignity of male and female members of the Albanian national minority, and to contribute with its articles to changing patterns, customs and practices that create stereotypes, prejudices and discrimination against male and female members of the Albanian national minority, and to make sure in the future not to violate legal regulations on the prohibition of discrimination in the course of its regular operations and activities.