Online Violence Against Women in Politics: A Threat to Democracy

Online violence against female politicians, which impacts women’s representation in political and other decision-making institutions, has various consequences that harm democracy. The impact of online violence goes against the fundamental tenets of democracy, presenting novel challenges to states and institutions in controlling and holding perpetrators accountable. Although there are outstanding issues in controlling and monitoring …

The Bitterness of (Coffee and) Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is an increasingly discussed issue with global prevalence. However, there is an often-overlooked form of domestic abuse involving mother-in-laws (MILs) perpetrating harm on their daughters-in-law (DILs). This pattern of abuse, witnessed in my family and numerous others, perpetuates trauma across generations. Such violence encompasses emotional, financial, and physical abuse, inflicting lasting and immediate …

STUCK IN THE MIDDLE WITH MEDIA 

What to read? What to watch? Who to listens to? Who to believe? Can I trust my own judgement?   Gaza. Haiti. Iran. Israel. Kosovo. Myanmar. Nagorno-Karabakh. Niger. Sudan. Ukraine. Wherever there is conflict there are conflicting narratives.   And if you are not in the midst of it you rely entirely on such media outlets as …

GENDER INEQUALITY IN THE MEDIA

THE MEDIA MUST CHALLENGE SEXISM AND GENDER DISCRIMINATION IN ITS OWN RANKS. At the beginning of September, the news website Kallxo published an article titled “Radio Television of Men” that investigated the recruitment process at public broadcaster Radio Television of Kosovo (RTK) for the positions of deputy director, radio director and head of Shared Services — all …

Monthly Monitoring Highlights – discrimination and sensational reporting

Throughout the month of August, the RDN monitoring team has detected a range of hateful narratives and discourse. This month we have seen hatred based on gender, disabilities, sexuality, and ethnicity; as well as sensationalism in the media. Gender discrimination in Serbia Ivana Parlić, a Member of Parliament coming from the People’s Party recently took …

Monthly Monitoring Highlights – genocide denial and hatred based on gender

Throughout the month of July, the RDN monitoring team has detected a range of hateful narratives and discourse. This month, we have seen hatred based on ethnicity and gender along with the unsettling occurrence of genocide denial, coinciding with the commemoration of the Srebrenica genocide. Genocide denial in Bosnia and Herzegovina July 11th marks Srebrenica …

TIMEOUT

CHALLENGING THE DOMINANCE OF MEN IN SPORTS JOURNALISM. Qëndresa Krelani found herself at the center of heated public debate back in 2021.  A sports journalist with two decades of experience, Krelani was part of a panel on Sporti Total, a KTV sports show alongside Llapi Football Club’s coach Tahir Batatina, Drenica Football Club’s former coach …

Monthly Monitoring Highlights – homophobia and other hateful narratives

Throughout the month of June, the RDN monitoring team has detected a range of hateful narratives and discourse. This month, we have seen hatred against LGBTQ+ individuals alongside religious, ethnic and gender discrimination, but also attacks on journalists and media due to ethnic intolerance. Anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric in Bosnia and Herzegovina and North Macedonia This month, …

MEDIA DISCOURSE ANALYSIS AROUND PRIDE PARADES

Why is the fight for human rights a trigger for hate speech in the Western Balkans?  KOSOVO The patriarchal society in Kosovo does not accept the LGBTQ+ community, considering them as sick individuals, mentally ill, destroyers of families and humanity, and deeming them unfit to be part of Kosovar society. Comments reflecting these views can …