Media Education
The program for young journalists as a path to dialogue and against hate speech
Journalism, as a powerful tool of information and public education, has the potential to positively influence relations between different ethnic communities. Journalists can contribute to building a fairer and more open society through balanced and unbiased reporting. By presenting stories that emphasize cooperation and mutual respect, they can help instill a culture of dialogue and understanding.
Furthermore, the media should promote the voices of all communities, giving space to equal representation and addressing the concerns and challenges they face. This helps to break stereotypes and strengthen solidarity among the citizens of Kosovo.
In a divided society, journalism has a responsibility to help build bridges and foster a climate of peace and understanding.
In 2023, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Kosovo developed a special initiative aimed at engaging young journalists from all communities in Kosovo. This program was meant to promote a positive narrative and act as a counter to the hate speech that can often be spread in the media.
Eduart Krasniqi, a young journalist joined this program, which in a key aspect had the creation of a network of young journalists from different communities, who worked together to produce common stories that reflected the cultural diversity of Kosovo. He says that this project has also helped them to be included in the labor market, since for six months he did an internship in one of the local televisions.
"I expect that tomorrow when he starts work I will have a six-month experience to help me in the work he will do, so it has been a great experience, if I had the chance to do it again, I believe I would have started the same.... Before starting work and during work, we had training on how to deal with a case or what to report and what not to report. What we have learned in the faculty, but also what I have learned from colleagues and editors at T7, is that hate speech should not be exposed at all. If someone has used any hate speech in the speech or something else incited hate speech or something, then that part has already been cut (edited) and not published, so we have already continued the story in an orderly manner. . After the announcement, I felt it was my personal duty because of the project to tell the person, 'I don't know, but with this part, he is encouraging the language of hatred,'" he says.
In the framework of the program, Krasniqi adds that they also met with young people from other communities, where they discussed the fight against the language of hate that spreads in the media.
And Ivan Milkovic, who is a professional journalist, thinks that the media can contribute to building a positive narrative in Kosovo.
"The media can contribute a lot to the construction of a positive narrative in Kosovo, but the basic issue is whether the media wants this, mainly the media follow and convey the messages of the political elites and based on this build a kind of narrative. Until the will and desire for positive changes both in society and in political subjects matures, there will be no positive changes, the media can talk as much as they want, but if the desire for this has not matured in society, then it remains just an empty letter on paper, just a story, which is an empty word that has been blown somewhere by the wind and does not reach anyone, it means that the war must be fought on all fronts equally, of course the media plays a decisive role, but in fact also those who are decision-makers must take responsibility into their own hands, and really do what they only warn or talk about doing.