In light of the numerous sexist statements in public that we have witnessed and that have been brought to our attention by citizens, the BaBe association hereby appeals to all public figures, with special emphasis on journalists, to respect the rules of the profession and the moral and ethical values of a modern democratic society in their public conduct.
Čl. 3. Zakona o medijima (NN 59/04, 84/11, 81/13) izrijekom zabranjuje poticanje ili veličanje spolne neravnopravnosti te izazivanje spolnog ili drugog neprijateljstva putem medijskih sadržaja. Ujedno, sukladno čl. 13. Kodeksa časti hrvatskih novinara (2009.), koji navodi da je nedopustivo koristiti “stereotipe, pejorativne izraze, ponižavajuće prikazivanje, kao i svaki drugi oblik izravnog ili neizravnog poticanja ili podržavanja diskriminacije”, obveza je svakog_e novinara_ke promicati i štiti temeljna ljudska prava i slobode. Naglašavamo kako je upravo jednakost cjelokupnog građanstva – bez obzira na spol, dob, etničku pripadnost i druga obilježja – jedna od temeljnih vrijednosti Europske unije, na koju se osvrće i sam Kodeks. Ovim normama želimo ukazati na to da seksistička i diskriminatorna ponašanja nisu suprotna samo individualnim moralnim načelima, već i zakonima Republike Hrvatske, relevantnim pravilnicima te međunarodnim konvencijama ratificiranim od Republike Hrvatske.
If we want to build a democratic society, we are forced to reflect on the cultural meanings that circulate in public space, as well as the ways in which we communicate these meanings. Insults, gender-based disparagement, sexualization and stereotypes continuously fill media content. The meanings reproduced through this content underlie the inequality and violation of dignity that women suffer every day in public space, because it is the media and public role models that shape our own beliefs and behaviors in everyday interactions. It is time for public actors with a great influence on public opinion to start acting to eradicate the culture of violence against women, which is an indirect consequence of sexist representations in public space.
It is the duty of each of us to respond to discrimination and injustice, so we are extremely grateful to all citizens who have taken on this duty and requested our response in their reports. We believe that working towards social change is not only the responsibility of institutions, but also of each individual. We call on all citizens to continue to contact us with trust so that together, through active citizenship, we can act towards the common good and build a better community based on democratic principles.
