Reaction of the Platform for Gender Equality to Lazarov's podcast with guest Latas

Appalled by the information and views presented by journalist Dragan Pavlović-Latas in the first broadcast of Stefan Lazarov's podcast, the members of the Platform for Gender Equality react to the speech in the podcast and demand that its broadcast be stopped. We believe that the podcast normalizes violent gender-based behavior through Latas's experiential example, which for him is a common way for 15-year-old boys to have their first sexual experience. We also condemn the statement in the media by the host of the podcast, Stefan Lazarov, who did not distance himself from such content, but rather supported Latas' speech.

The show, recorded with a live broadcast on 02/14/2023, on the social video platform YouTube, recorded over 125 thousand views in the past 5 days. As Platform for Gender Equality, we believe that the large number of views of this show influences public opinion, especially among young people who can easily come to the conclusion that "slapping a girl", according to the statement of Latas and Lazarov, before sexual intercourse is completely normal behavior of the boys and bear no responsibility or consequence for this act. Although the podcast description states rules that hate speech and racism are not allowed, this show contains exactly this narrative. Therefore, as members of the Platform, we request that the podcast be deleted from this video-social platform and stop broadcasting this problematic podcast.

From what the public has witnessed, it is clear that Dragan Pavlović-Latas and Stefan Lazarov are supporters of violent behavior and humiliation of women in sexual relations. They use their platforms to promote and normalize violence against women. Since they present themselves as advocates for the preservation of "traditional values", we ask Latas and Lazarov if raping and bragging about it is the value they defend and promote?!

We welcome the reaction of the Department for Computer Crime at the Ministry of the Interior with the delivery of a notification to the Basic Public Prosecutor's Office - Skopje after the interview of YouTuber Stefan Lazarov with Dragan Pavlović-Latas. We request that the Prosecutor's Office act within the legal term and submit an indictment for Spreading racist and xenophobic material through a computer system.

We appeal to the private sector that supports Stefan Lazarov and uses his services for advertising, to stop cooperation with him. Otherwise, by supporting this podcast, they are supporting and enabling the spread of misogyny, gender-based violence, racism and hate speech. In addition, at a time when in the fight against violence against women, among other things, it is necessary to raise public awareness, public figures have a special responsibility in dealing with this rhetoric and promoting positive values that will contribute to the eradication of violence, and not to its promoting.