International Justice/ICTY: Apr '08
Gotovina trial reports revive Croatian media interest in the tribunal.
International Justice/ICTY: Apr '08
Gotovina trial reports revive Croatian media interest in the tribunal.
IWPR’s coverage of the trial of Croatian army general Ante Gotovina has generated significant media interest in Croatia, where the appetite for Hague tribunal-related news has tended to be limited.
At the same time, IWPR continues to receive positive feedback from Bosnian radio stations on Facing Justice, its co-production with Radio Free Europe.
Eight reports on the Gotovina trial by Zoran Jungwirth, an IWPR-trained reporter, currently working in The Hague, were picked up by Zagreb’s most popular radio station Radio 101. His articles were also republished by the top-selling daily in the capital Vecernji List.
"I think that IWPR’s regular coverage of war crimes trials at the ICTY is very important, especially because most of the local media outlets very rarely provide any reports on this issue,” said one of the main Radio 101 editors, Zoran Kekic.
“In my view, it is also important that IWPR covers several trials every week and provides information on cases that are not considered very ‘attractive’ by the local media, who would probably ignore them altogether. However, thanks to IWPR reports, a written record of these trials will remain.”
Also in April, more evidence emerged of Facing Justice’s impact in Bosnia.
Editor-in-chief of Radio Olovo in Central Bosnia, Kadir Plecanin, says that feedback from the station’s audience suggests that “Facing Justice is a very popular programme which reminds people that 13 years after the war in Bosnia war crimes haven’t been forgotten and that perpetrators must be punished”.
Editor-in-chief of Radio Mostar, Sanel Kajan, congratulated IWPR and RFE on the programme which, he said, was “welcome and necessary because of the sheer number of war crimes cases in the former Yugoslavia that are being or will be processed over the next few years. Our audience has to be informed about these issues”.
Dalida Demirovic from one of the largest local NGOs in Bosnia, Centres for Civic Initiatives, CCI, said “Facing Justice helps NGOs in the region, including our own, in conflict prevention and raises awareness of the importance of war crimes trials for the reconciliation process.
“Your programme keeps people in Bosnia interested in solving important problems related to transitional justice.
“You help people understand that testifying in war crimes trials is a highly moral act and the duty of all Bosnian citizens.
“A positive attitude towards this issue is very important for successful prosecution of war crimes and for conflict prevention in general.
“By dedicating your programme to these issues, you help create a positive atmosphere in Bosnia when it comes to the prosecution of war crimes.”
At the same time, IWPR continues to receive positive feedback from Bosnian radio stations on Facing Justice, its co-production with Radio Free Europe.
Eight reports on the Gotovina trial by Zoran Jungwirth, an IWPR-trained reporter, currently working in The Hague, were picked up by Zagreb’s most popular radio station Radio 101. His articles were also republished by the top-selling daily in the capital Vecernji List.
"I think that IWPR’s regular coverage of war crimes trials at the ICTY is very important, especially because most of the local media outlets very rarely provide any reports on this issue,” said one of the main Radio 101 editors, Zoran Kekic.
“In my view, it is also important that IWPR covers several trials every week and provides information on cases that are not considered very ‘attractive’ by the local media, who would probably ignore them altogether. However, thanks to IWPR reports, a written record of these trials will remain.”
Also in April, more evidence emerged of Facing Justice’s impact in Bosnia.
Editor-in-chief of Radio Olovo in Central Bosnia, Kadir Plecanin, says that feedback from the station’s audience suggests that “Facing Justice is a very popular programme which reminds people that 13 years after the war in Bosnia war crimes haven’t been forgotten and that perpetrators must be punished”.
Editor-in-chief of Radio Mostar, Sanel Kajan, congratulated IWPR and RFE on the programme which, he said, was “welcome and necessary because of the sheer number of war crimes cases in the former Yugoslavia that are being or will be processed over the next few years. Our audience has to be informed about these issues”.
Dalida Demirovic from one of the largest local NGOs in Bosnia, Centres for Civic Initiatives, CCI, said “Facing Justice helps NGOs in the region, including our own, in conflict prevention and raises awareness of the importance of war crimes trials for the reconciliation process.
“Your programme keeps people in Bosnia interested in solving important problems related to transitional justice.
“You help people understand that testifying in war crimes trials is a highly moral act and the duty of all Bosnian citizens.
“A positive attitude towards this issue is very important for successful prosecution of war crimes and for conflict prevention in general.
“By dedicating your programme to these issues, you help create a positive atmosphere in Bosnia when it comes to the prosecution of war crimes.”
