Prevention of hate speech crimes: digital versus real-life environment

Extending the use of social media and other digital networks, as well as technology development and the impact of the pandemic have raised the problem of how to prevent hateful speech from occurring. Limitations on hate speech closely correlate with restriction of freedom of speech, therefore balance between the two should be met to ensure both fundamental democratic right on the freedom of speech, as well as to restrict limitations on one’s honour, dignity and safety. To answer whether mechanisms for combating the crimes of hate speech in the digital environment are as effective as they are in a real-life situation, the author analyses the international (United Nations) and Council of Euro…