Southeast Europe faces rising hate speech and digital polarization

Commentators in Serbia and Slovenia warn that public discourse is being eroded by normalized hate speech and algorithm‑driven amplification on social media. In Serbia, journalist Dinko Gruhonjić argues that dehumanising language prepares society for violence and undermines democratic dignity, stressing the need for institutions, media and education to restore respectful dialogue.

In Slovenia, anthropologist Dan Podjed describes how online anonymity turns users into “vampires” who attack others, noting that the shift from personal, face‑to‑face interaction to screen‑mediated communication has created a “digital feces” environment that fuels extremism and erodes trust in media and experts. Both call for collective action to curb toxicity and preserve a civil public sphere.