News

We began the third day of the study visit, with a session led by Steven Youngblood, who focused on the language and narratives of peace journalism. He gave the journalists an introduction to peace journalism, explaining its key characteristics and principles. Using various examples from around the world, Youngblood showed how peace journalism differs from traditional conflict reporting. He stressed the importance of word choice and story framing to promote understanding and reconciliation. The journalists also discussed how peace journalism can be applied to remembering the past, looking at ways to report on history that encourage healing and dialogue.

In the second part of the day, Allan Leonard from Shared Future News and Xhemajl Rexha from the Association of Journalists of Kosovo continued with discussions on the media landscapes in both Northern Ireland and Kosovo. Leonard provided a brief history of The Troubles and reflections on media coverage about The Troubles, while Rexha discussed reporting about the past in Kosovo in Albanian and Serbian speaking media in Kosovo.

Journalists also welcomed Feride Rushiti, the Executive Director of the Kosova Rehabilitation Centre for Torture Victims (KRCT). She shared deep insights into their work, focusing on the support and rehabilitation of sexual violence survivors from the war. Rushiti emphasized the psychological and social challenges faced by the victims and the ongoing efforts to provide them with comprehensive care and justice.

Following Rushiti’s presentation, Luidmilla Makei, a Ukrainian journalist currently in Kosovo, shared her personal experiences and professional journey. She drew parallels between her experiences in Ukraine and the current situation in Kosovo, emphasizing the importance of accurate reporting. Makei highlighted the role journalists play in documenting human rights abuses.

The Peace Journalism Project is funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office through the British Embassy Pristina.