PDF - Hate speech - Recommendation No. R(97)20 (2015)

The expression of hate speech may have a greater and more damaging impact when disseminated through the media. Situations of tension and times of war and other forms of armed conflict make it even more urgent to combat such expression, while respecting the right to freedom of expression and information. Facing the complexity of the issue, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe thought necessary to lay down guidelines for the governments of its member states on how to address these forms of expression.