How to investigate and report on gender-based violence with a victim-centred approach, was the focus of a training course the OSCE Mission to Montenegro organized for students from the Media Studies and Journalism Department of the Faculty of Political Science on 23 November.
As part of continuous support to the University of Montenegro, the Mission gathered 30 journalism students and introduced them with the Mission's Handbook on media reporting on gender-based violence against women, distributed to national TV stations, newspapers, news portals and local broadcasters last year.
During the training course, Slaven Živković, executive director of the DeFacto Consultancy, presented to the students an Analysis of media reporting and the effects of media reporting on gender-based violence against women and girls in family and partner relationships, which was undertaken to measure how the media reports on violence against women and girls. This analysis was an innovative experimental method to assess the extent and nature of the influence that media reporting on gender-based violence has on citizens' attitudes, opinions, and subsequent behaviour.
Živković explained that through an analysis of 2,661 media reports, the research found that "the media predominantly reported on cases of physical (76.9%) and sexual (68.3%) violence while online or digital violence comprised only 9.8% and selective abortion cases (7%). Further the analysis revealed that the majority of reported cases describe gender-based violence and domestic violence as a private matter.
OSCE-engaged media expert Duška Pejović said that the media create public opinion and have a significant influence on shaping attitudes, changing social and cultural patterns and gender roles. "To this reason it is important to constantly educate journalists and raise their awareness about discrimination against women and gender-based violence," said Pejović. She elaborated that the media should develop a critical, emancipatory spirit, promote human rights and gender equality, and promote positive societal change. "Unfortunately, there are stereotypes and prejudices based on the inferiority of women and the superiority of men, which are used to justify violence against women and make it part of traditions and culture. This needs to be constantly challenged," said Pejović.
OSCE-engaged expert Paula Petričević explained that the handbook provides guidelines and recommendations to improve how journalists report on gender-based violence. Reporting should be based on two key principles - that violence is the responsibility of the abuser, not the victim or survivor, and that reporting must not jeopardize victim's safety and dignity at any cost," said Petričević.
The Mission will continue to support journalism students and journalists in enhancing their capacities when reporting on gender-based violence.
