A training session for media representatives on human rights, discrimination, and hate speech, with a special emphasis on gender representation, gender identity, and sexual orientation, took place from September 25-27 in Mokrin at Morin House.
On the first day, an editorial meeting was organized with media representatives focusing on the media content production and promotion in the area of human rights. This was followed by a visit to the UK Center for Fine and Applied Arts Terra in Kikinda, where Jelena Kotević, head of the Department for Cooperation and European Integration, the Commissioner for Protection of Equality, and Thorsten Afflerbach, head of the Department for Inclusion Programs and Anti-Discrimination at the Council of Europe, addressed the attendees. During this visit, a clay workshop was held for all training participants in celebration of the European Day of Languages, organized by the UK Center for Fine and Applied Arts Terra from Kikinda.
The second day of training began with presentations by Ivana Jelača from the Institute for Media and Diversity – Western Balkans, Danica Ilić, training facilitator, and Miloš Ćirić, training facilitator on the topic “Media and Human Rights – Why It Matters.” Following that, a presentation was made on the topic: “Principles and Guidelines for a Comprehensive Approach to Combating Hate Speech – Presentation of Recommendations from the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe,” delivered by Aleksandra Dimitrijević, an expert from the Council of Europe. Part of the program also included a presentation on the normative framework for protection against discrimination and a report on monitoring hate speech in Serbia (2024), presented by Ivana Kristić, a professor at the Faculty of Law, University of Belgrade, as well as discussions on “Reporting on Human Rights: How We Want It,” presented by Matea Stevanović from Talas TIRV, Nikolina Pavićević from Kritički, and Zorica Šurlan from the Roma Association Novi Bečej. Additionally, activities of the Commissioner for Protection of Equality in the fight against hate speech were discussed by Milica Simić from the professional service of the Commissioner for Protection of Equality and Danijela Šegan, senior advisor and head of the information group.
The third day of training was dedicated to the topic of gender-sensitive language and gender equality in the media, along with a case study on reporting on gender-based violence, presented by Danica Ilić and Miloš Ćirić, after which conclusions from the training were drawn.
The training was organized within SMART Balkans “Reporting Diversity Network” regional project.
The video statements of the participants (in Serbian language) are available bellow:
