The Electronic Media Council (VEM) has concluded that the Index web portal did not violate the Electronic Media Acts when publishing its pop-up asking its visitors to say "if they are human beings or members of the HDZ", however, the regulator warns that "the narrative is unacceptable."

The Council, an independent media regulator, discussed the matter last week after it  had received two complaints about the Index web portal’s pop-up and then asked the Index website to explain its position on the matter.

VEM says in a press release on Tuesday that following a fact-finding and legal analysis procedure, the Council established that there was no violation of Article 12 of the legislation on electronic media.

The regulator sees that the intention of the website was to be engaged in a public discussion and criticism of the ruling political party rather than incitement to hatred, violence or discrimination against a group of citizens.

The Council, however, underscores that such discourse is not appropriate in a democracy.

“Such discourse definitely does not contribute to the quality of public dialogue,”says VEM calling on electronic media outlets to refrain from such narrative.