Journalism, as a powerful tool of information and public education, it 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 Programme (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 as a key aspect had the creation of a network of young journalists from different communities, who worked together to produce shared stories that reflected the cultural diversity of Kosovo.
He says that this project has also helped them to get involved in the labor market, since for six months he did an internship at one of the local television stations.
“I expect that tomorrow when I start work I will have a six-month experience that will help me in the work that I 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 face 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 used a hate speech phrase 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 a regular way. After the interview, I felt it was my personal duty because of the project to say to the person, ‘I don’t know if you know, but with this part you are encouraging hate speech'” he said.
Within the program, Krasniqi adds that they also met with young people from other communities, where they discussed the fight against hate speech, which spreads in the media.
Also, 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 building a positive narrative in Kosovo, but the basic issue is whether the media wants it; mainly the media convey the messages of the political elites and build a kind of narrative based on this. As long as there is no will and desire for positive changes both in society and in political parties, there will be no positive changes, the media can talk as much as they want, but if there is no desire for this in society, then it remains just an empty letter, 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”, he said.
He says he expects young journalists to be responsible in their reporting, even though they will face great challenges and temptations. /KosovaPress/
