Hate Is Not an Opinion: Combatting Online Hate and Cyberbullying

The Czech entertainment industry has become a focal point in a growing national conversation about online harassment, as prominent figures from film, television, and music lend their voices to the anti-hate campaign “Hejt není názor” (Hate Is Not an Opinion). Launched in response to escalating cyberbullying and hate speech directed at public personalities, the initiative has drawn both support and controversy, highlighting the deep societal divides over free expression and digital responsibility in the Czech Republic.

At the forefront of the campaign is actress Martha Issová, widely recognized for her roles in acclaimed Czech films such as “Ženy v běhu” and “Masaryk,” who has spoken publicly about the personal toll of sustained online abuse. In a recent interview with Seznam Zprávy, Issová emphasized that while strong language can be powerful, it must not cross into targeted harassment. “Ostrá slova mají sílu,” she stated, “but there is a clear difference between criticism and deliberate attempts to humiliate or intimidate someone.” Her comments come amid reports that she and other participants in the campaign have faced intensified backlash since joining the effort.

The campaign, which features video testimonials from Czech celebrities including actors, musicians, and television presenters, aims to challenge the normalization of hateful rhetoric online, particularly on social media platforms and comment sections beneath news articles. Participants describe receiving thousands of hostile messages, including death threats, within short timeframes — one interviewee told Centrum news outlet that they had been subjected to over 1,100 hateful messages in a single moment, illustrating the speed and scale at which digital abuse can accumulate.

Kateřina Pechová, another public figure involved in the initiative and featured in an interview with Expres FM, described the psychological impact of engaging with online critics. “For hejters, it’s shocking when I respond to their comments,” she said, “but I refuse to silently accept being insulted.” Her remarks reflect a broader strategy among campaign participants: to model constructive engagement while setting firm boundaries against abuse, rather than disengaging entirely from public discourse.

However, the campaign has not been without criticism. A segment aired by Televize Nova and analyzed by Deník TO argued that the initiative risks further polarizing Czech society by framing dissent as inherently malicious. Critics contend that the line between legitimate critique and “hejt” (a colloquial term for hateful or toxic commentary) is being blurred, potentially silencing valid opinions under the guise of civility. This tension underscores a broader debate about where to draw the line in moderating online speech without infringing on freedom of expression.

Supporters of the campaign counter that its goal is not to suppress disagreement but to confront the rise of coordinated harassment campaigns that extend beyond celebrity culture to target journalists, activists, and ordinary citizens. CNN Prima NEWS reported that participants from the music group Chicas described feeling abandoned by platforms that fail to moderate harmful content, stating, “Svalilo se to na nás” — the burden of defense has fallen on individuals rather than institutions. Meanwhile, media personality Aleš Růžičková reportedly advised participants on legal and psychological resources available to those facing sustained online attacks.

The timing of the campaign coincides with increased scrutiny of digital platforms’ handling of hate speech in Central Europe. While the Czech Republic has laws against hate speech and defamation, enforcement in online spaces remains inconsistent, leaving many public figures to rely on personal resilience or limited institutional support. Industry organizations such as the Czech Film and Television Union have not issued formal statements on the campaign, but several members have participated individually, suggesting a grassroots swell of concern within the creative community.

As the debate continues, “Hejt není názor” remains active across Czech media channels, with participants continuing to share their experiences in interviews, podcasts, and social media posts. Whether the initiative will lead to lasting changes in platform policies, public behavior, or legal frameworks remains uncertain. But for now, it has succeeded in bringing the issue of online harassment into mainstream cultural discourse — a development that, for many in the entertainment industry, is long overdue.