Words Matter: Choosing Dialogue Over Hate

Podgorica, 18 June 2026 

Countering hate speech requires more than condemning harmful words. It demands a collective commitment to dialogue, inclusion and respect for human rights. On the International Day for Countering Hate Speech, the Ministry of Culture and Media of Montenegro and the United Nations Country Team in Montenegro call on all sectors of society to join this effort.

At a time when digital platforms enable information to spread faster than ever, hate speech poses a serious challenge to social cohesion. Its impact extends far beyond the online sphere, undermining trust, weakening interpersonal relationships and eroding people's sense of belonging. Combined with disinformation, hate speech deepens social divisions, fuels discrimination and makes it more difficult to build inclusive and resilient societies.

"Countering hate speech is not about restricting freedom of expression. It is about protecting everyone's right to live free from discrimination, intimidation and violence. That is why institutions, media, the education system, civil society and every individual share the responsibility to promote a culture of dialogue, critical thinking and mutual respect. Only through collective action can we build a society where diversity is recognised as a strength rather than a source of division," said Tamara Vujović, Minister of Culture and Media of Montenegro.

A key step in this effort is the establishment of the National Network Against Hate Speech and Disinformation, led by the Government of Montenegro and the Ministry of Culture and Media with the support of UNESCO. The Network is being developed under the social cohesion programme jointly implemented by UNESCO, UNICEF and UNDP, with financial support from the UN Peacebuilding Fund.

Bringing together public institutions, media, academia, civil society organizations and international partners, the Network provides a platform for coordinated action to prevent and counter harmful narratives, promote responsible communication, and strengthen media and information literacy.

"We cannot respond to hate speech only after the harm has already been done. What is needed is a long-term, whole-of-society approach that connects education, media, culture, institutions and local communities. It is encouraging to see Montenegro building exactly this kind of collaborative model through the National Network Against Hate Speech and Disinformation, because inclusive and resilient societies are created when each of us takes responsibility for the public space we share," said Caroline Tissot, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Montenegro.

The International Day for Countering Hate Speech is also an opportunity to recall that, as UNESCO consistently emphasizes, hate speech cannot be addressed solely through content moderation, removal of harmful content or regulatory measures. Long-term resilience depends on education, critical thinking and media and information literacy, enabling people to recognize manipulation, engage responsibly in public discourse and contribute to safeguarding the integrity of information in the digital space.

The Ministry of Culture and Media and the United Nations Country Team in Montenegro call on institutions, media, civil society, academia and all citizens to help create a public space where diverse opinions can be expressed with mutual respect, and where human dignity remains a value that is consistently protected.