This graduate thesis deals with the issue of hate speech in the media and political space of the Republic of Croatia with a special emphasis on legal frameworks, judicial practice and the social implications of punishing such forms of expression. Hate speech, as a form of verbal and non-verbal attack directed against individuals or groups based on their ethnic, religious, sexual or political characteristics, represents a significant challenge in the preservation of fundamental human rights and democratic values. Special attention is paid to distinguishing hate speech from freedom of expression, which is a key issue in legal practice and theory. The empirical part of the work includes content analysis and the legal framework that regulates the right to freedom of expression at the international and national level, especially related to the limits of this right, including hate speech in the Croatian media and political space and its criminal and misdemeanor liability, judicial practice and forms of prevention. In the first part of the paper, the existence and recognizability of hate speech is shown through historical development, as well as the conceptual definition and demarcation between freedom of expression and hate speech. Furthermore, there is a presentation of international and Croatian legal regulations, bodies for the protection of freedom of expression and the prevention and punishment of hate speech in the Croatian media space. In the last part, the focus is on the presentation of the current situation related to hate speech in the Republic of Croatia, especially on the existence of hate speech in the political space as well as on the judicial practice of international and domestic judicial bodies. The paper also considers the influence of the media and social networks on the spread of hate speech, as well as the responsibility of political actors in creating public discourse. The conclusion of the paper highlights the necessity of strengthening the institutional response to hate speech, through more effective law enforcement, public education and the promotion of tolerance in society.