News in English     | 26.03.2021. 12:58 |

Media urge suppression of hate speech and promotion of social cohesion

FENA Hana Imamović

SARAJEVO, March 26 (FENA) - "The role of the media in supporting social cohesion within and between Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia" is the title of an online regional conference held today to discuss the challenges that the media are facing.

The gathering, organized within the regional program "Dialogue for the Future" (DFF), implemented by UNDP, UNICEF and UNESCO, aims to emphasize the importance of the role of media in supporting dialogue and social cohesion between Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia and within them.

The DFF regional program is implemented in partnership with the Presidency cabinets and governments in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia, with the support of the Peacebuilding Fund (UN PBF) and contributes to the 2030 Agenda, in particular the four Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Quality Education (SDG 4), Gender Equality (SDG 5), Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11), Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions (SDG 16).

The aim of the panel discussions was to point out the problems related to these topics, when the panelists gave a brief analysis of the situation in their country, and talked about the biggest obstacles to social cohesion and dialogue, regardless of political influences and focusing on social aspects and vulnerable groups.

The introductory speeches at the conference were given by the UN Resident Coordinator in Bosnia and Herzegovina Ingrid Macdonald, UNICEF Representative Rownak Khan, Head of the UNESCO Office in BiH Siniša Šešum and the DFF Regional Coordinator Alma Mirvić.

As it was said, the so-called infodemia came to the fore especially during the coronavirus pandemic because people form their opinion by informing themselves through the media and social networks, although such information is rarely verified.

UNICEF Representative Rownak Khan noted that the information should be taken seriously, as everyone has found themselves in an unenviable situation lately as no one knew what was going to happen which required patience and flexibility in which the media played an important role.

“The media are important in order to provide valid information and create platforms for freedom of speech, which is the right to information and permission to hear different opinions, and that is also important for democracy,” she noted.

Head of the UNESCO Office in BiH, Siniša Šešum, emphasized the importance and role of journalists and editors in the challenging period of the pandemic, because their work, sometimes with criticism and sometimes with praise, encouraged government officials to be more engaged.

The conference will also announce the best media reports that have contributed to social cohesion and social dialogue in BiH, Montenegro and Serbia, and all conference participants will be invited to sign a Media Charter advocating for the suppression of hate speech and the promotion of social cohesion within and among participating countries.

(FENA) A. B.

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