Before starting off the module, journalism students and journalists were addressed by Xhemajl Rexha, the Chairman of the Board of the Association of Journalists of Kosovo, and Vjollca Islami Hajrullahu, Project Manager at Forum Civil Peace Service – Kosovo.

Rexha highlighted the importance of this Academy for young journalists and thanked forumZFD for the opportunity given to students and journalists to learn the best practices regarding reporting on these topics.

Islami Hajrullahu emphasized that the ForumZFD Program in Kosovo has worked intensively for more than 5 years with the media, journalists, and students to improve the professionalism of reporting in dealing with the past and conflict-sensitive reporting. “As the media is the primary source of information for most of us, it is crucial that journalists and media avoid fake news, external and internal influences that may lead to an increase in tensions which lead to conflict. Therefore, forumZFD highly values the cooperation with the Association of Journalists of Kosovo – AJK and the realization of the “Academy on Dealing with the Past (DwP) Journalism and Conflict Sensitive Reporting” she said.

Journalism students and journalists participating in the first module of the Academy were lectured on Introduction to Peace Journalism on Saturday.

This module of the Academy was lectured by Abit Hoxha, Professor at the University of Agder in Norway. During this module, he lectured and discussed the importance of reporting on Dealing with the Past (DwP) Journalism and Conflict Sensitive Reporting. Among other things, perspectives and ethical frameworks necessary for reporting on conflicts and social issues were discussed. It was also discussed how journalists can contribute to a more informed, empathic, and peace-oriented public discourse.

Furthermore, journalists, together with Professor Hoxha, had the opportunity to analyze local and international media content in reporting on these topics related to the past.

The Academy on Dealing with the Past (DwP) Journalism and Conflict Sensitive Reporting will continue with three more modules in the following months.

The Croatian Journalists’ Association condemns the inappropriate behavior of parliamentary representative Veljko Kajtazi towards Croatian Radiotelevision journalist Hana Gelb.

During filming on International Women’s Day at the Roma Kali Sara Union, the parliamentary representative addressed colleague Gelb in an inappropriate and elevated tone. This incident marks the culmination of his unacceptable behavior towards colleagues from the “Prizma” show, who strive to constructively report on minorities in Croatia, a situation which Representative Kajtazi has been dissatisfied with for years, hence refusing to provide statements to the said program.

Such behavior is unacceptable for anyone, especially for a parliamentary representative, towards anyone, especially towards a woman, particularly a journalist just doing her job. Therefore, the Croatian Journalists’ Association fully supports colleague Hana Gelb, who professionally and honestly performs her duties.

The Croatian Journalists’ Association also calls on the leadership of Croatian Radiotelevision to condemn the behavior of Representative Kajtazi and protect colleague Hana Gelb.

Gordana Škaljac Narančić, President of the CJA Branch at Croatian Radiotelevision

Hrvoje Zovko, President of the Croatian Journalists’ Association

The Association of Journalists of Kosovo has received with concern information from colleagues at QIKA about the ongoing disturbing messages and visits they have received from a teacher (whose name is known to us) regarding a news story published in November of last year.

In an email sent to AJK, QIKA informed about an alleged case of sexual harassment at the “Nazmi Zhegrova” school in the village of Stanoc i Ulët in the Municipality of Vushtrri. The case was initially reported by koha.net and then republished by QIKA, referencing the source without revealing the identity of the teacher involved.

“On February 26, 2024, the teacher who was accused of sexual harassment by a student wrote messages on QIKA’s social networks. He asked QIKA to remove the news about this case because, according to him, it was slander. The same person has constantly called, and written messages on our social networks, as well as in emails. On March 4, 2024, he came to our offices, disturbing the QIKA staff with his request to remove the news, referring to a decision of the Directorate of Education in Vushtrri, which, according to him, exonerates him. Last night, on March 12, 2024, he again wrote a message on the social network Instagram, saying, “Don’t force me to visit you again.. Did you understand me?”, It is stated in the email addressed to AJK.

The Association of Journalists of Kosovo sees QIKA staff’s continuous contact and visits to editorial offices to be direct pressure on journalists’ work and a form of intimidation. As a result, AJK calls upon the teacher in question to stop disturbing the QIKA staff and, if needed, file a complaint with online media self-regulatory organizations.

AJK is calling on the Kosovo Police to prioritize this case so that journalists can carry out their work without hindrance or intimidation.

We appeal once again to the members of the parliament to reject the Law of Dangerous Intentions, which is an attack on the profession, journalists, media, whistleblowers, and the public. If this shameful law is adopted, the Croatian Journalists’ Association (CJA) will continue to fight against LEX AP and against arrogant Croatian politicians, said ahead of the vote in the Croatian Parliament on amendments to the Criminal Code at a press conference of the Croatian Journalists’ Association, where CJA President Hrvoje Zovko and Vice President Chiara Bilić spoke.

Zovko also warned and condemned yesterday’s scandalous and shameful behavior of Prime Minister Plenković towards N1 television journalist Mira Moralić, emphasizing that such a mode of communication is unacceptable, especially considering the role that Moralić holds. “The only sensible thing Andrej Plenković can do is apologize to journalist, but unfortunately, given his ego and past behavior, I don’t think that will happen,” said Zovko.

The President of CJA emphasized that Plenković doesn’t hesitate from emotional blackmail and attempts to rush everything to conclusion so that the Law passes at the last moment, just before the dissolution of the Parliament. “CJA rejects LEX AP and calls on all colleagues to continue their work in the public interest to prevent plunder and lawlessness being enforced,” said Zovko, reminding that if this law were in force, journalists who published the correspondence of Turudić – Rimac (Pleslić), would already be under investigation and would be harassed.

Zovko added that it is frightening that none of the ruling officials denied that our colleagues would have their laptops, phones confiscated, and their private correspondence investigated under the new provisions of the infamous Article 307. “Therefore, cja will be available at all times to anyone who may be affected by this shameful law, and all possible assistance will be provided to them,” said Zovko, who added that Plenković, with his behavior and actions, increasingly resembles the two main autocrats in Europe, Vučić and Orbán.

cja Vice President Chiara Bilić added that it is obvious that the Prime Minister intends to control the Croatian media. “It has become his obsession, especially in the last four years, when he suggests and repeats to journalists what should be the topic and what should not. He thinks he can tell journalists what and how to write, and when journalists ask him specific questions, he attacks them, as was the case with colleague Moralić,” said Bilić, who also commented on the shameful behavior of Plenković’s office at yesterday’s conference, where microphones were set up like skittles. “This is unacceptable and an attack on journalistic tools. Where does he get the right for that?” Bilić asked, adding that Plenković has been targeting journalists for years, and LEX AP is a result of such behavior of the authorities towards journalists and the public.

Responding to a question about threats to journalists, Zovko said that CJA has close to a hundred documented threats or physical attacks on journalists in its records, and they face threats via emails or social media daily, which are the sources of such attacks against journalists, for which the political leadership is responsible for their attitude and behavior towards journalists and media.

“We warn Plenković that if anything bad happens to journalists, we will hold him directly responsible for such a situation, as he cannot be absolved of it,” Zovko said, stating that it is incredible that even after more than three decades, politicians do not understand or do not want to know what the job of journalists and media is in democratic societies.

Zovko finally reminded of CJA’s open letter to Croatian citizens about the dangers posed by amendments to the Penal Code. The letter was co-signed by 18 major media outlets, and some other outlets have since joined with their signatures. All other editorial boards are also called upon to lend their support and join the fight against LEX AP, which directly threatens media freedom.