Announcement: Presentation of the Publication “How Do We Talk About War Crimes? – Analysis of the Presence of War Crimes, War Criminals, and the Discourse on War Crimes in the Media in Serbia” at the NDNV Premises
The publication “How Do We Talk About War Crimes? – Analysis of the Presence of War Crimes, War Criminals, and the Discourse on War Crimes in the Media in Serbia” will be presented on Thursday, July 11, 2024, at 10:30 AM at the premises of the Independent Journalists’ Association of Vojvodina, Sutjeska 2, in Novi Sad.
This publication is intended for journalists and media professionals, as the way media report on war crimes plays a crucial role in the process of reconciliation and building a just society. The discourse on war crimes is not just a matter of informing the public but is an important step towards understanding, acknowledging, and confronting the past. Ethical and professional reporting can contribute to reconciliation among communities, strengthen trust, and overcome deeply rooted traumas.
The methodology of the publication is based on an extensive content analysis of selected domestic media from April 2022 to August 2023. Over 2900 relevant mentions of war crimes and criminals were analyzed, including a detailed analysis of the tone and approach to reporting. In addition, interviews with journalists and editors who reported on this topic were conducted, providing a deeper insight into the challenges and needs of the media community. Existing international standards in this field were also examined to ensure alignment with best practices.
It is important to emphasize that a professional approach to reporting on war crimes and criminals not only contributes to accurate and responsible information but also shapes the broader public discourse. Each appearance of war criminals in the media must be contextualized to prevent manipulation and relativization of crimes. This publication highlights the necessity of discussing this topic with care and professionalism, as the way we talk about war crimes has far-reaching consequences for society as a whole.
Dr. Aleksandra Jerkov, the author, and Balša Božović, the project coordinator, will speak at the presentation.
Text of the Publication Available for Download HERE
You Can Find the Link to the Media Content Research HERE
The publication “How Do We Talk About War Crimes? – Analysis of the Presence of War Crimes, War Criminals, and the Discourse on War Crimes in the Media in Serbia” was created within the project supported by the broader initiative “Support to Local Civil Society Organizations – Transitional Justice and Trust-Building Initiatives in the Western Balkans – RECOM Reconciliation Network.” This project is implemented by the Humanitarian Law Center (Serbia), Humanitarian Law Center Kosovo (Kosovo), Association for Transitional Justice, Reconciliation and Remembrance (BiH), Center for Democracy and Transitional Justice (BiH), Center for Civic Education (Montenegro), and Institute for European Policy (North Macedonia), and is funded by the European Commission.
The opinions and views expressed in this publication are solely the responsibility of the authors and the Regional Academy for Development and Democracy, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Commission or the organizations implementing the “RECOM Reconciliation Network” program.