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.