No. 07-00-364/2017-02   Date: 30 January 2018

OPINION

The present opinion was issued following a complaint of T.T., Deputy Chairperson of D.s., lodged on behalf and with the consent of D.R. from V., against e.v. news portal, on account of articles published on this portal, entitled: “Why does D.R. hate and insult Vršac, citizens of Vršac, Grape Ball . . .?” and “Shameful Attack of a Yellow Company against e.v. Portal”. In her complaint the complainant stated, inter alia, that in its articles “Why does D.R. hate and insult Vršac, citizens of Vršac, Grape Ball . . .?” and “Shameful Attack of a Yellow Company against e.v. Portal”, e.v. electronic portal had insulted and discriminated D.R. on the grounds of several personal characteristics – political beliefs, financial status, birth and health status and that the comment: “You still haven’t met the right guy”, had struck her as extremely sexist and myogenic. In the declaration responding to allegations made in the complaint, the e.v. news portal editor-in-chief stated, inter alia, that remarks made in the text of the article pertaining to the relationship of D.R. and citizens of Vršac represent a response to D.R.’s article and her attacks against the Grape Ball and inhabitants of Banat, that it was only a matter of polemics involving strong emotions and nothing more, and that the whole complaint thing was about preventing facts about and views on this active female politician who can do anything from emerging and therefore writing about her was being presented as discriminatory. The defendant further stated that parts of the complaint referring to an allegedly sexist and myogenic comment: “You still haven’t met the right guy” was in fact a reflection upon the complainant who all the while, on purpose avoided mentioning the content of D.R.’s text, and her interpretation was inadequate and placed in the ambiguity of a tired inhabitant of Banat. At the same time, realistically “the right guy” was not sexist, but could have been of any other quality which could be positive for D.R.”. The analysis of messages were sent by means of these articles, and taking into consideration the practice of the European Court of Human Rights and anti-discrimination regulations, the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality deems that e.v. news portal had put forth ideas and attitudes which were disturbing, degrading and which were offensive to the dignity of D.R. only because she is a woman. This has created a degrading and offensive environment, due to which the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality has issued an opinion stating that e.v. news portal had violated provisions of Article 12 of the Law on the Prohibition of Discrimination. Fort this reason a recommendation was issued to e.v. news portal editor-in-chief to issue and publish an apology to D.R. on e.v. news portal within a period of 15 days from the date of receiving the present Opinion containing recommendations for achieving equality, and to refrain in the future from posting articles and posts which disparage women and support prejudices and social patterns based on stereotypes about gender roles, but rather to use its posts and articles to alter patterns, customs and practices which breed and reinforce stereotypes, prejudices and discrimination against women.