Stories about Serbia
Podcast: The state of press freedom
This week, we head to China, India, Colombia, Indonesia and Serbia to hear from journalists and researchers about what challenges the media faces in those countries.
The Western Balkans will need unity and cooperation across society to overcome press freedom challenges
Independent media in the Western Balkans face disinformation campaigns, hate speech, physical attacks, threats, low income, poor economic status, divisions, self-censorship and job insecurity.
Andrey Zakharov, BBC News Russian: For eight years, propaganda has been preparing people to support the war in Ukraine
In his opinion, Russia has lost the information war abroad, even though many Russian citizens support the regime.
Yugoslav monuments: Forgotten places of resistance and memory
Before the Socialist Federative Republic of Yugoslavia broke up, there were countless sites erected to honor the victims of the Second World War. These monuments are largely in disrepair now.
Violence against women has been promoted in the Balkans through pop music for 40 years
An artist stirred controversy with her documentary film “Violence against women in domestic songs” where she examines violence against women portrayed through turbo-folk, pop, rap, and hip-hop songs.
Research reveals Serbian media outlets’ bias in 2021: Positive on Russia and China, negative on the EU and US
TV viewers on the national frequency were offered the black and white image of the “evil West” and “friendly East”
From Kosovo 1999 to Russia 2021: The ‘cheapfake’ photo trend fuelling dangerous propaganda
"It is important to raise awareness of the widespread use of cheapfake images and to acknowledge that some governments use the practice to influence people's opinions."
Ex-Yugoslav music fans mourn the death of Macedonian-Croatian rock star Aki Rahimovski
The career of the lead singer of the Zagreb-based rock band Parni Valjak spanned almost five decades, starting in 1975.
‘I didn't ask for it!': Four women fighting against gender-based violence in Bosnia and Herzegovina
The spontaneous decision to host a page where women would anonymously share their experiences of sexual assault and harassment has received a response far beyond anything the activists expected.
Exploitation of Indian migrant workers in Serbia continues
The workers' attempt to get redress are complicated by the layers of ownership and contracts, which allow the Serbian company to claim the contract is with a US company.
Indian migrant workers fight for their right to get paid in Serbia
Indian migrant workers have been targeted to work at mega construction projects in Serbia. Several workers are not willing to give up fighting for their back pay, despite legal loopholes.
Serbian authorities accused of spying on visiting Russian citizens at behest of Kremlin
Russia and Serbia have formed a joint working group to combat protest movements against autocratic and populist governments by suppressing grassroots initiatives, independent media, the opposition and civil society organizations.
An impossible task: Serbia on the European path, hand in hand with Russia and China
Serbia keeps touting the country’s progress in aligning itself with EU foreign policy, but real gains won’t happen with Kosovo on the agenda.
Combatting stereotypes: The need to recognize male victims of wartime sexual violence in Bosnia
According to testimony, the systematic scope and nature of conflict-related sexual violence against men demonstrate that it was an instrument of ethnic cleansing through the destruction of families and communities.
Socializing with extremists and ‘hoaxers': Tennis star Novak Djokovic's controversial visit to Bosnia
"This is not the first time Djokovic has caused controversy by endorsing deeply problematic Serb nationalist figures."
After Twitter labeled Serbian pro-government media: It is important to know who controls and exercises pressure on media
Top Serbian state officials accused Twitter of censorship after it posted labels on the profiles and tweet of media outlets that don't enjoy editorial independence from the government.
Austrian player Arnautović sparks racism controversy in Euro 2020 football game against North Macedonia
Twitter users pointed out that the perpetrator behind the anti-Albanian incident has a surname which might indicate ethnic Albanian roots in his family.
Zagor: Legendary Italian comics series that captured Balkan hearts turns 60
"It's because of Zagor that I started reading comics and my life would be very different without him."
Final verdict against war criminal Ratko Mladić brings relief, denialism, but not closure
Serbian tabloids rushed to denounce the decision as evidence of anti-Serb bias and hailed Mladic as a hero.
Pop-rock music and changing attitudes to the personality cult of Josip Broz Tito
" ... the generations of children born in Yugoslavia in the 1970s reacted to the break-up of the value system that put Tito on a pedestal with a growing dose of cynicism."
Critically acclaimed Bosnian film stirs up the barely buried ghosts of Srebrenica
Quo Vadis Aida? shows what genocide looks like by focusing on the fate of the victims, on family members being separated, knowing they will never see one another again.