A recent study conducted by the Commissioner for Protection from Discrimination, the EU, and the Council of Europe highlighted several details on hate speech in Albania.

Nearly 60% of the surveyed think that hate speech prevails in large proportions in Albania.

The figure is even higher when the question was posed to vulnerable groups. Where 9 out of 10 affirmed that incitement of hatred is widespread.

The study is based on the responses of over 1,800 citizens.

A majority, around 70%, said that hate speech occurs the most in political talk shows and the least in reality shows.

More than half of the surveyed blamed poverty, social status, public opinion, physical appearance, ethnicity, and race as the main triggers behind the language of hatred.

On a gender basis, more women linked hate speech due to physical appearances, while mean think that it is incited by public opinion.

“Hate speech is used at large on social media, schools, universities, and workplaces. More than half of the survey admit to having reacted when they’ve been a witness to hate speech against another person. The Alliance against Hate has a lot of work to do in Albania”, said Robert Gajda, Commissioner for Protection from Discrimination.

Approximately 60% of respondents from vulnerable groups said to have personally fallen victim to hateful language.