Reporting the Environment - Balkan - overview

Reporting the Environment

Fifteen journalists from Kosovo, Bosnia and Serbia took part in a seminar on reporting environmental issues on 25 and 26 September in Sarajevo. The seminar was part of a year-long project, Reporting the Environment, which includes distance learning and practical assignments on environmental topics as well as study visit to Prague for the three most active participants. The seminar was organized in cooperation with Mediacentar Sarajevo, Medija Centar, Belgrade, and the Association of Professional Journalists of Kosovo, Pristina. The project is supported by the Transition Promotion Program of the Human Rights &Transition Policy Department of the Czech Foreign Ministry and the East East: Partnership Beyond Borders Program of the Open Society Fund.

The seminar included sessions on understanding science; the relationship between science and news ; and investigative techniques. Five trainers also shared their experiences with the participants, analyzing practical examples from their work. Kevin Burden, a former BBC environment correspondent, was the lead trainer. John Holland, a prominent investigative reporter from the U.S., and Ozren Kebo, one of Bosnia’s most leading journalists, spoke on the principles of investigative research and explained why topics related to the environment often require investigative approach. Rados Kandic, a communications specialist who has worked on a number of environment-related projects in the region, spoke on different communications strategies deployed by public institutions. Sanela Habes, a prominent Bosnian reporter covering the environment, presented examples from her own work and highlighted the main problems that environmental reporters in the region come across.

Quotes from students:
“This is an excellent method to build knowledge and skills. I am satisfied with my communication with the trainers. I would recommend this program to colleagues.”

“The seminar was very useful for me because I had been learning a lot about the environment, but didn’t know how to put that knowledge to practice.”