Stories about Serbia
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
What did the outside world in the 1930s know about the Soviet famine and the ‘Holodomor’ in Ukraine?
Many Ukrainians used social networks to raise awareness of the 1932-1933 Soviet famine as they see the ongoing Russian aggression against their country as a continuation of the same imperial repression.
With the US intervention, Kosovo and Serbia resolve the car license plate dispute
Kosovo and Serbia find the common language on the car license plate issue, as the US intervened in the EU-mediated negotiations, welcome news against a backdrop of warmongering disinformation
Staff of Serbian newspaper Danas threatened with Charlie Hebdo-style attack
Newspaper’s journalists often receive threatening messages, but this email was sent by someone who is familiar with their work practices and routines.
Car license plates bring fresh tensions between Kosovo and Serbia as EU mediation fails
Kosovo wants the Serb minority to abandon their Serbian-issued car license plates, at a time when Serbia does not recognize Kosovo's independence.
Defamation lawsuit against Serbian investigative media outlet KRIK sets a dangerous precedent
Just before Serbian investigative media outlet KRIK received an EU Award for Investigative Journalism, a Serbian court sentenced it for publishing truthful news about a criminal trial.
Organizers refuse to cancel the 2022 Belgrade EuroPride claiming the government's ban is unconstitutional
Involvement of Kremlin proxies in homophobic protests against EuroPride in Belgrade could indicate Russian malign influence undermining Serbia's strategic orientation of joining the European Union.
Hate speech and disinformation surface in Serbia ahead of the 2022 Belgrade EuroPride
Disinformation and hate speech toward the LGBTQ+ community and human rights supporters have been noticeably on the rise as the Serbian capital Belgrade is preparing to host the 2022 EuroPride during this week.
Is modern Macedonian music popular in neighboring Serbia?
Though media in Serbia prefer traditional Macedonian folk music to modern takes, one Macedonian DJ based in Novi Sad is working on introducing modern Macedonian tunes to a Serbian audience.
Flood of false bomb threats raise security concerns in Kosovo
The wave of false bomb alerts in the Balkan region has also affected Kosovo. Threatening messages from anonymous addresses were sent to the University, schools, airport and bus stations.
The war in Ukraine has increased tensions between Kosovo and Serbia
German Chanceller Olaf Scholz said that progress in the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue is of great importance for peace and stability in southeast Europe, as well as for the European integration of both countries.
Russian and Serbian officials continue to deny the Račak/Reçak Massacre
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, in an interview with Russian state-owned news agency Sputnik that was broadcast by Serbian media outlets, has denied the 1999 Račak/Reçak massacre in Kosovo.
Understanding the damaging effects of Russian propaganda against NATO and Kosovo
"Particularly harmful and dangerous is the spread of this misinformation in countries where there is not much knowledge about the case of Kosovo."
Analysis of comments on popular Serbian news portals shows the reach of pro-Russian narratives
News reproduced "several narratives that coincided with the Russian interpretation of events, but the ratio of positively and negatively assessed comments was strongly in favour of those who supported Russia."
Spreading misinformation about Kosovo was once again used as part of election strategy in Serbia
Since its declaration of independence in 2008, an unacceptable practice had been established in Kosovo that every Serbian election was held in Kosovo, as well. That changed this year.