Journalists and activists from Syria and Iraq at a workshop on reporting and transitional justice in Sarajevo

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Source/Author: BHN
Source/Photo: BHN

SARAJEVO, 22.06.2018. – Media and civil society organizations play an important role in post-conflict processes of building peace and tolerant societies. As it was said on the workshop  “Transitional Justice and Reporting” which started today in Sarajevo, in circumstances like this, journalists must be more accountable and professional, because the media content they produce has an impact on the culture and behavior of citizens.

The six-day workshop that was organized by BH Journalists Association with the support of the Danish organization International Media Support (IMS) gathered 11 journalists and civil society activists from Syria and Iraq.

„Media outlets and civil society organizations must be more responsible and creative in their work in  war and post-war social circumstances. Journalists and activists must be aware that media and civil society organizations significantly influence the perception of reality, culture and citizens’ behavior“, said the media adviser of IMS Henrik Keith Hansen and emphasized that in specific conflict circumcises society needs journalists who would report on an innovate way, with the focus on solutions and who are able to make a step forward from conventional reporting.

„Considering that Bosnia and Herzegovina journalists have experienced both war and transitional journalism in recent history, I believe that the workshop in Sarajevo will help and contribute to peacebuilding and the construction of a media scene in Iraq and Syria“, said the program director of IMS Osama Hababe and expressed the strong support of this organization in constructive reporting that simultaneously understands and empowers citizens.

The General Secretary of BHJA Borka Rudić emphasized the importance of organizing journalists in professional associations, especially in a conflict and post-conflict context. “This is important for the promotion of ethical principles and the integration of media community, as well as for contributing to development of media laws and institutions as infrastructures necessary for free action of media and journalists work,” Rudic said.

During this six days participants will learn and discuss, among other things, about standards of fair, balanced and objective reporting on sensitive issues related to war and human rights violations, transitional justice and facing the past, documenting war crimes and media contribution to peace building and stabilities.

Media professionals, representatives of the academic community, transitional justice experts and activists from BiH will share their experiences with the participants. In addition to this, visits to the editorial offices of Oslobodjenje and Federal Television, and the BHJA journalists club in Mostar are planned.