Stories about Serbia
Serbian media blame Armenian ‘betrayal’ of Russia for the fall of Nagorno-Karabakh
Serbian pro-government and pro-Russia media systematically promoted a narrative that the Western-oriented Armenian authorities gave up Nagorno-Karabakh by turning their foreign and security policy against Russia.
The youth is a critical voice in addressing security challenges, Western Balkans expert says
"What is important in my view when discussing disinformation is addressing the structural problems, such as media literacy, because Western Balkans have some of the lowest media literacy rates in Europe."
‘The only white people who did not bring evil’: Serbian media narratives around Russia in Africa
Russian influence in Africa exists in some areas — notably in security and the arms trade — but most authors who have written on the subject conclude that the overall impact should not be overstated.
Youth in the Balkans should be able to recognize disinformation with malign intent, Slovenian expert says
"We need to be able to communicate with the youth as effectively and as attractively as the adversaries are doing," said Petra Balažič, project manager at the Centеr of European Perspectives from Slovenia.
Decolonial perspective on race from the post-Yugoslav region
In the post-Yugoslav region, where racialized geopolitical cartography re-emerged after the Cold War, many people tend to deny the existence of racism when asked about it.
Bosnian Genocide commemoration in Tuzla: ‘We don’t harbor hatred, but we will never forget’
“You lose everyone in the genocide and then someone says the genocide never happened. It’s very painful and it hurts. It’s like I had never had anyone,” said Srebrenica survivor Nura Begović.
Disinformation helps weaponize homophobia in the Balkans
After 2013, Moscow has emerged as major generator of homophobic narratives that exploit existing endemic intolerance in the Balkans region.
Pride marches challenge endemic homophobia in the Balkans
Pride marches in all Balkan capitals all came with similar demands: stopping hate speech and hate crimes fueled by widespread homophobia and transphobia.
Turbulent weeks on the streets of Serbia
The protests against the 'culture of violence' in Serbia were triggered by a mass shooting at a Belgrade elementary school, in which nine children and a security guard died.
Serbian politicians and media continue the anti-NATO narratives over 1999 Kosovo War intervention
"Despite the victimization narratives exhibited in Serbia, the government recognizes the role and importance of NATO in regional security, especially in the protection of the Serbian community in Kosovo ..."
How the school massacre in Serbia played out on TikTok
Comments demanding the release of the detained teenager who committed the school shooting in Belgrade were common on TikTok videos, expressing “love” for him as a “hero” and a “legend”.
Journalists from Serbian KRIK convicted for criticizing SLAPP suits against newsroom
"The judgement clearly indicates that SLAPP lawsuits have become the main tool of the regime for closing down the few independent media left," stated Stevan Dojčinović, editor-in-chief of the Serbian investigative outlet KRIK.
Getting the Balkans wrong: The foreign coverage crisis
"Covering the Western Balkans requires more preparation than other parts of Europe. It’s not enough to know local politics. You need to appreciate the culture and society."
Creative initiatives add new content from Central and South Eastern Europe to Wikipedia
From the Baltic to the Balkans, enthusiastic groups from Central and Eastern Europe are finding innovative ways to enrich the Wikipedia, which serves as a primary source of educational content in the region.
Shared narratives of the Yugoslav conflicts of the 1990s: An opportunity for reconciliation
Young people from former Yugoslavia have been left at the mercy of the dominant nationalist discourses and war-mongering rhetoric, used by the political elite as manipulation tools almost three decades after the wars.
Wagner recruitment of volunteers in the Western Balkans region prompts debate
Politicians from neighboring countries have been warning of spreading of PMC Wagner group influence via Serbia, where recruitment advertisement scandal was hushed up.
How did Serbia become ‘the biggest victim’ of the war in Ukraine?
Serbian pro-government media promote the narrative that that country has been “pressured,” “blackmailed,” “overkilled,” and targeted in “orchestrated attacks” by "great powers" as part of "special warfare" from the West.
The future of mass surveillance in Serbia
Serbian government withdraws – for the second time – draft law governing the work of police with provisions enabling invasions of privacy, after civil society outcry and international pressure.
Celebrating the ex-Yugoslav music scene, hall of fame style
Inspired by the Musicians Hall of Fame, American expat Will Richard set up the EX-Yugo Rock Center (EYRC) in Sarajevo, celebrating its legacy and impact during the last decades of the 20th century.
2022 was a bittersweet year for European comics
European comics creators and fans experienced some particular wins and losses during 2022. Some of them are presented in this non extensive listicle.
Kosovo: Six attacks against journalists in December following escalating tensions
The Kosovo media sphere is endangered by the recent physical assaults and their implications for press freedom and reporting on developments in the northern part of the country