Virtual project enlightens journalists from Kosovo
Journalists in Kosovo “on average strive to initiate positive peace,” according to at least one participant in today’s Zoom session.

The session was the second segment of a two part training on "Dealing With the Past/Conflict Sensitive Journalism" sponsored by forumZFD, a German development NGO, and the Center for Global Peace Journalism. The first session was held last month. 

Our discussion today began with a presentation touching upon journalists’ role in fostering positive peace, which is defined as “a more lasting peace that is built on sustainable investments in economic development and institutions as well as societal attitudes that foster peace. It can be used to gauge the resilience of a society, or its ability to absorb shocks without falling or relapsing into conflict.” (positivepeace.org).

How do journalists in Kosovo contribute to positive peace? One participant commented (in the Zoom chat), “Kosovar media reported about an Albanian taking care of an elderly Serbian lady, who was living alone. He would bring her food and everything else. In this sense, Kosovrn media should engage more in initiating positive peace.” Another added, “The media can contribute to positive peace just as they contribute to conflict. information is enough to break down all the barriers first.”

Following up, I asked if Kosovar media fuel conflict. One journalist observed, “Media in Kosovo contribute to conflict as much as for war. We could use an example the simplest news related to Kosovo police. While the police mention nationality for technical reasons, in cases when there was a traffic accident between Albanians and Serbs, media would use their ethnicity to make news even when such an accident/conflict was not an ethnic one.”

We also discussed media as a tool for reconciliation. Responding to media’s role (or lack thereof) in reconciliation in Kosovo, one journalist noted, “I don’t think Kosovar media are impeding reconciliation. For example, the Constitutional Court of Kosovo decided in favor of Decani Monastery of the Serbia Orthodox Church, and the Kosovar media reported about it.” Another added that Kosovar media build neither bridges nor walls. He wrote, “(Each year) from January to June, there are anniversaries of massacres almost every month. It is attended by state leaders, there is suffering that is normal from family members. So in this case, the media certainly need to be careful how they report. These are the cases when the media should promote peace, not hatred. Perhaps the journalists themselves have cases when they are motivated by different stories of family members who have lost their loved ones. But, here the professionalism and the intention for peace must be proved.”

Today’s session concluded with a discussion of peace journalist’s role in battling social media hate speech and disinformation. One journalist recommended that her colleagues use social media to fight stereotypes, myths and misconceptions; to make government and  businesses accountable for their actions; and to connect reporters who are interested in pursuing peace journalism.

From the Times of Israel

In the previous session last month, I covered the basics of peace journalism, and the need for peace journalism in Kosovo, especially in online networks that spread hate. We discussed examples of traditional war journalism vs. peace journalism, including stories and a photo about a recent Israeli attack on Gaza. After the attack, one Israeli newspaper ran this photo of a small brush fire in Israel that they said was caused by a “balloon borne incendiary device” launched from Gaza, rather than photos of the much more substantial damage done in Gaza by Israeli warplanes.

The organizers hope to continue the trainings in person in Kosovo and elsewhere in the Balkans in 2022.