War Crimes and the Media: Possibility to Renew the Trust

NetNovinar.org � MediaCenter Sarajevo

On May 18-19, the Transitions Online organized a round table discussion, at the Mediacentre Sarajevo, to discuss the reporting on war crimes trials in the countries of the region. The discussion gathered 18 NGO and media representatives from Croatia, Serbia, B&H and Montenegro. The challenges presented by the war crimes trials, the human rights violations were just two of the topics discussed.

The discussion placed its emphasis on the reporting on war crimes, the manipulation with the number of victims and circumstances in which the crimes took place, as well as the cooperation between the institutions of the system, the civil society and the media in the renewal of trust. The lack of systemized approach to these topics, lack of information and expertise on the behalf of journalists was pointed out as the biggest problems present in reporting on war crimes, concluded the gathering.

The discussion paid special attention to the establishment of Trust and Reconciliation Commission, its structure and functioning.

The introductory notes were presented by Dejan Anastasijevic, Belgrade �Vreme�; Boris Vlasic, �Jutarnji List� Zagreb; Drago Pilsel, �Novi list� RIjeka; Nidzara Ahmetasevic, Justice Report-Balkan Investigative Network, Sarajevo; Sabina Cehajić, �University of Sussex�-Brighton; Zoran Pajic, �Kings College London�; Nevena Rsumovic, www.netnovinar.org, Mediacentar Sarajevo.

This was the second round-table discussion organized by Transitions Online (internet magazine that covers the 28 former communist states in Europe) in 2006. The third event is planned for September 28-29, in Sarajevo.

The project is implemented with the support by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, SIDA and US Institute for Peace.

The project is hosted by NetNovinar-Centre for Media Education and Investigative Journalism and the Centre for Investigative Journalism from Zagreb.