Centre for Civic Education (CCE) organized, today in Podgorica, training for journalists on the phenomenon of radicalization and violent extremism, providing specific guidelines for quality reporting and research on these issues, as well as monitoring of the security sector and relevant institutions work in this field.
During the training, the concepts of terrorism, radicalism and extremism and methods of reporting have been considered, i.e. what should and should not be done during reporting, the most common mistakes that occur in reporting about these complex and sensitive issues through practical examples. Furtheremore, credibility of sources and reporting forms on radicalism and extremism were discussed. The work was interactive with examples of reporting that were carefully analyzed in order to understand the lessons learned when it comes to research and coverage of these topics.
In line with an envisaged plan, the training gathered 15 journalists from various media: Arhimed, FosMedia, daily Dan, RTCG portal, TV Vijesti, TV Budva, Radio Berane, Center for Investigative Journalism of Montenegro (CINCG) and Večernje novosti. The training was conducted by Denis Džidić, journalist and editor of the Balkan Research Network in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIRN B&H), who has extensive experience in this area.
This training is part of the project Safe Net which aims to contribute to the reduction and prevention of the radicalization trend in Montenegro by strengthening the culture of social dialogue on controversial and extremist issues, as well as to strengthen democratic processes as key prevention of the escalation of terrorism and violent extremism in their various forms. One of the specific project objectives is to contribute to the improvement of the capacity of the media to investigate and report on the complex phenomenon of radicalization from various aspects and the emergence of violent extremism in accordance with the highest professional and ethical standards. This project is supported within the programme For a stronger voice of civil society organizations, implemented by the Fund for Active Citizenship – fAKT and financed by the US Embassy in Podgorica.
Milos Knežević, PR/Programme Associate