News
IN DEFENCE OF DIGNITY
In a world filled with increasing awareness and understanding about autism and related neurological conditions, it is deeply disheartening and concerning to come across remarks that not only showcase ignorance but also perpetuate harmful stereotypes. In a recent incident that has sparked a public outcry in North Macedonia, a private individual named Ranko Srbakoski 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 …
TROLL OF THE MONTH: Glorification of war criminals
The Balkan Troll of the Month is an individual, a group of individuals or a media outlet that spreads hate based on gender, ethnicity, religion, or other diversity categories. The Balkan Troll is selected based on hate speech incidents identified across the Western Balkans region. July 11th marks the Srebrenica Memorial Day. Ruled as genocide …
Press Council accepted our complaints!
The fight for a better media environment is long and difficult, but small wins along the way keep us motivated. After two mass shootings befell Serbia in just a few days in May, Media Diversity Institute Western Balkans warned of the harmful effects of unprofessional and sensationalist media coverage. A few hours after the shooting …
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, …
TROLL OF THE MONTH: Magazine Stav
The Balkan Troll of the Month is an individual, group of individuals, or a media outlet that spread hate based on gender, ethnicity, religion, or other diversity categories. The Balkan Troll is selected based on hate speech incidents identified across the Western Balkans region. The month of June is typically dedicated to LGBTQ+ Pride Month …
GOVERNMENT AND MEDIA FAILURES IN REPORTING MASS SHOOTINGS IN SERBIA
Why did the media and officials get it so wrong when it came to reporting the mass shooting that occurred on May 3rd at the “Vladislav Ribnikar” Elementary School in Belgrade and have they learned any lessons? The media debacle started a few hours after a student shot and killed nine of his classmates and …
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 …