OSCE Mission in Kosovo holds seminar on investigative journalism
In the framework of its media development activities, the OSCE Mission in Kosovo also organizes seminars and workshops for journalists. (Lubomir Kotek/OSCE) Photo details
PRISTINA, 18 March 2002 - The OSCE Mission in Kosovo has organizsed a two-day seminar on investigative journalism. The session, which ended on 15 March, was attended by a group of more than 40 professionals representing print and broadcast media and coming from all part and communities of Kosovo.
The training focused on investigative journalism, news production and the ethics of journalism. It aimed at developing a better understanding of the relations between media and politics, and to discuss journalist ethics. Each topic was introduced by a presentation, and then discussed among the participants, who focused on problems faced by the journalists in Kosovo. The participants were presented cases which illustrated dilemmas in taking the correct decision in difficult ethical situations.
"The ability of journalists to report accurately and professionally depends on instilling the required skills and techniques for investigative journalism", said Jeremy Lidstone, the Director of the OSCE Mission's Department of Media Affairs. The session was organized as a response to suggestions made at the first international conference on protection of journalists last December, where the participants called for the organization of training sessions on investigative journalism techniques.
The seminar was facilitated by Michael Kunczik, a scholar from Germany who teaches investigative journalism at the Johannes Gutemberg University of Mainz, Germany. The event was funded by the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, a Gernan foundation.
As part of its institution-building mandate, the OSCE Mission in Kosovo assists in the development of conditions that support freedom of the media, putting a great emphasis on training journalists, to ensure that Kosovo develops a democratic, qualified, independent media sector.
The training focused on investigative journalism, news production and the ethics of journalism. It aimed at developing a better understanding of the relations between media and politics, and to discuss journalist ethics. Each topic was introduced by a presentation, and then discussed among the participants, who focused on problems faced by the journalists in Kosovo. The participants were presented cases which illustrated dilemmas in taking the correct decision in difficult ethical situations.
"The ability of journalists to report accurately and professionally depends on instilling the required skills and techniques for investigative journalism", said Jeremy Lidstone, the Director of the OSCE Mission's Department of Media Affairs. The session was organized as a response to suggestions made at the first international conference on protection of journalists last December, where the participants called for the organization of training sessions on investigative journalism techniques.
The seminar was facilitated by Michael Kunczik, a scholar from Germany who teaches investigative journalism at the Johannes Gutemberg University of Mainz, Germany. The event was funded by the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, a Gernan foundation.
As part of its institution-building mandate, the OSCE Mission in Kosovo assists in the development of conditions that support freedom of the media, putting a great emphasis on training journalists, to ensure that Kosovo develops a democratic, qualified, independent media sector.