Eleni Stamatoukou, Author at BIRN

Call for Applications: Basic Journalism Training for High School Students

As part of the EU-supported “Solidifying the Resilience of Kosovo’s Current and Future Journalists” project, BIRN Kosovo is seeking students from Kosovo’s public high schools interested in undergoing training in media production, media literacy and tackling fake news.

There is currently a promising generation of high school students in Kosovo who have the talent, creative ideas and willingness to engage in investigative journalism, but the media lacks a specific platform to provide these students the chance to express their skills through writing and community reporting.

In order to capitalize on the interest in journalism among young people, and in an attempt to plug the gap in the education system, BIRN Kosovo will organize ten (10) training sessions for 200 high school students in a program that aims to nurture young talent by mentoring students in the production of videos, photos and articles in order to achieve the main goal of the activity which is to lay the path for increased independence, transparency, accountability and civic engagement.

The training sessions will introduce the students to journalism, including topics like journalistic language and concepts, reporting standards, photography tips, production materials for video content, video editing, investigative journalism, ethics and author’s rights.

At the end of each training session, youngsters from high schools across Kosovo will pitch their journalistic ideas, which the BIRN team will collect and thoroughly analyse before selecting a minimum of 60 video and article ideas that will be published on the online platform KallxoRinia. The production process for all of these articles will be overseen by a team of BIRN Kosovo editors.

Who can apply?

Students attending Social Studies departments at Kosovo’s public high schools of the regions such as: Prishtina, Mitrovica, Prizren, Gjilan, Gorazdveac within the Peja region, Gjakova, Ferizaj, Drenas, Malisheva and Rahovec.

The number of participants is limited in each training session due to restrictions preventing the spread of COVID-19. A maximum 20 participants per training will be selected.

How to apply?

Please fill in the form provided in the link below:

Deadline for applications: 10:00 (C.E.T.) on June 10, 2021

Remarks:

Participants will be provided with certificates at the end of the training.

Thirrje për Aplikim: Trajnim Bazik në Gazetari për Studentët e Shkollave të Mesme

BIRN Kosova është në kërkim të nxënësve nga shkollat publike të Kosovës të interesuar për të qenë pjesë e trajnimit për prodhim medial dhe shkrim-lexim mediatik si dhe trajtimin e lajmeve të rreme si pjesë e projektit “Solidifikimi i Qëndrueshmërisë së Gazetarëve të Tanishëm dhe të Ardhshëm të Kosovës“, i cili mbështetet nga BE.

Aktualisht ekziston një gjeneratë premtuese e nxënësve të shkollave të mesme në Kosovë që kanë talent, ide krijuese dhe gatishmëri për t’u angazhuar në gazetari hulumtuese, mirëpo media nuk ka një platformë specifike për t’u siguruar këtyre studentëve mundësinë për të shprehur aftësitë e tyre përmes shkrimit dhe raportimit lokal.

Me qëllim që të përfitojnë nga interesimi i të rinjve në gazetari, dhe në një përpjekje për të plotësuar boshllëkun në sistemin arsimor, BIRN Kosova do të organizojë dhjetë (10) seanca trajnimi për 200 nxënës të shkollave të mesme në një program që synon të shtojë talentin e të rinjve duke mentoruar studentët në prodhimin e videove, fotove dhe artikujve në mënyrë që të arrihet qëllimi kryesor i aktivitetit që është vë bazat për rritjen e pavarësisë, transparencës, llogaridhënies dhe angazhimit qytetar.

Sesionet trajnuese do t’i njohin studentët me gazetarinë, duke përfshirë tema si gjuha dhe konceptet gazetareske, standardet e raportimit, këshillat e fotografisë, materialet e prodhimit për përmbajtjen e videos, redaktimi i videos, gazetaria hulumtuese, etika dhe të drejtat e autorit.

Në fund të çdo sesioni trajnimi, të rinjtë nga shkollat e mesme anembanë Kosovës do t’i paraqesin idetë e tyre gazetareske, të cilat ekipi i BIRN do t’i mbledhë dhe do t’i analizojë hollësisht para se ta bëjë përzgjedhjen e një minimumi prej 60 videosh dhe ide shkrimi që do të publikohen në platformën në internet KallxoRinia. Procesi i prodhimit për të gjithë këta artikuj do të mbikëqyret nga një ekip i redaktorëve të BIRN-it në Kosovë.

Kush mund të aplikojë?

Studentët të cilët janë në vijim të drejtimeve shoqërore në shkollat publike të Kosovës në regjionet si: Prishtina, Mitrovica, Prizreni, Gjilani, Gorazdevci brenda regjionit të Pejës, Gjakova, Ferizaji, Drenasi, Malisheva dhe Rahoveci.

Numri i pjesëmarrësve është i kufizuar në çdo sesion trajnimi për shkak të kufizimeve me qëllim të parandalimit të përhapjes së COVID-19. Do të zgjidhen maksimumi 20 pjesëmarrës për trajnim.

Si duhet aplikuar?

Ju lutem plotësojeni formularin e ofruar në vegzën si më poshtë:

Afati i fundit për aplikim: 10 qershor 2021, ora 10:00 (sipas kohës lokale)

Vërejtje:

Pjesëmarrësit do të pajisen me certifikata në fund të trajnimit.

Poziv za Prijave: Osnovna Novinarska Obuka za Srednjoškolce

Kao deo projekta koji podržava EU „Učvršćivanje pozicija sadašnjih i budućih novinara na Kosovu“, BIRN Kosovo poziva učenike kosovskih javnih srednjih škola zainteresovanih za obuku iz medijske produkcije, medijske pismenosti i borbe protiv lažnih vesti.

Trenutno na Kosovu postoji perspektivna generacija srednjoškolaca koji imaju talenat, kreativne ideje i volju da se bave istraživačkim novinarstvom, ali medijima nedostaje posebna platforma koja bi ovim učenicima pružila priliku da iskažu svoje veštine pisanjem i izveštavanjem iz zajednice.

Kako bi iskoristio interesovanje za novinarstvo među mladima i u pokušaju da prevaziđe jaz u obrazovnom sistemu, BIRN Kosovo će organizovati deset (10) treninga za 200 srednjoškolaca u programu koji ima za cilj negovanje mladih talenata kroz mentorisanje učenika u video produkciji, fotografiji i člancima kako bi se postigao glavni cilj aktivnosti, a to je otvaranje puta za veću nezavisnost, transparentnost, odgovornost i građanski angažman.

Treninzi će učenike upoznati sa novinarstvom, uključujući teme poput novinarskog jezika i koncepata, standarda izveštavanja, saveta za fotografiju, produkciju materijala za video sadržaje, video montažu, istraživačko novinarstvo, etiku i autorska prava.

Na kraju svakog treninga, mladi iz srednjih škola širom Kosova će predstaviti svoje novinarske ideje koje će BIRN-ova ekipa prikupiti i detaljno analizirati pre nego što odabere najmanje 60 ideja za video i članke koji će biti objavljeni na on-line platformi KallxoRinia. Proces produkcije svih ovih članaka će nadgledati tim urednika BIRN Kosovo.

Ko se može prijaviti?

Učenici koji pohađaju odeljenja za društvene nauke u kosovskim javnim srednjim školama u regionima kao što su: Priština, Mitrovica, Prizren, Gnjilane, Goraždevac u pećkom regionu, Đakovica, Uroševac, Glogovac, Mališevo i Orahovac.

Broj učesnika na svakom treningu je ograničen zbog restrikcija kojima se sprečava širenje COVID-19. Biće izabrano najviše 20 učesnika po treningu.

Kako se prijaviti?

Molimo popunite obrazac priložen na linku ispod:

Rok za prijavljivanje: 10. jun 2021. godine u 10.00 (CET)

Napomene:

Na kraju obuke polaznicima će biti uručeni sertifikati.

BIRN and IPI Launch Call for Applications for the Third Two-Day Training Course on Fact-Checking and Tackling Disinformation

BIRN and the International Press Institute (IPI) have opened the Call for Applications for the third two-day training course on fact-checking and tackling disinformation as part of the EU funded project titled “Solidifying the Resilience of Kosovo’s Current and Future Journalists” .

The first edition held on December 2020 gathered a total of 36 participants were part of the training, including 24 journalists and six students of journalism, 20 of whom were women. The trainings were led by Stephane M. Grueso from Maldita.es and five trainers of Teyit including Kansu Ekin Tanca, Gülin Çavuş, Öyküm Hüma Keskin and Emre İlkan Saklıca.

While the second training held on March 2021 gathered a total of 34 participants, 27 of whom were women. The trainers of the two-day training included Carina Van Wyk, Allwell Okpi, and Keegan Leech from Africa Check, the first independent fact-checking organization in Africa. While the second day was led by Eoghan Sweeney, an open-source investigation specialist and trainer who over the past decade has helped to establish and develop digital verification and fact-checking operations at media organizations across the globe.

IPI will invite different experienced media professionals to administer the training course and share their knowledge and experience with Kosovo journalists, as well as students of journalism and social sciences.

The first day of training will be held by Claus Hesseling, a German journalist, author, trainer and lecturer who will cover the basics of fact-checking and verification, while the second day of the training will include trainers such as: Miroslava Sirotnikova who contributed to international media outlets, Kostas Zafeiropoulos, a co-founder of the non-profit Mediterranean Institute for Investigative Reporting (MIIR) and an investigative journalist for one of Greece’s biggest daily newspapers “Efimerida ton Sintakton”, Darren Loucaides a UK based journalist focused on disinformation, Edgaras Savickas an investigative journalist, and Sarah Hurtes whose work has appeared in Harper’s Bazaar, Vice and Thomson Reuters.

More information regarding the trainers can be found through their bios available to download below.

As the only media organization in Kosovo certified by the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN), BIRN has again teamed up with the IPI, an EU-based global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists, in order to help improve standards in Kosovo journalism.

Who can apply?

Final year journalism and social sciences students, recent graduates, and young and professional journalists from Kosovo may apply for the course.

Candidates from all parts of the country are encouraged to apply. However, the number of participants is limited and we will give priority to younger journalists with less experience in the described field.

A minimum of 30 and a maximum of 40 participants will be selected.

How to apply?

Please fill in the form provided in the link below:

Language:

The training will be held in English. However, translation in Albanian and Serbian will be provided.

COVID-19 restrictions:

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, as well as relevant health recommendations, the training will be delivered online through Zoom.

Deadline for applications: June 13, 2021 at Midnight Central European Time

Date of the training course: June 16 – 17, 2021

Call for applications: Download here

Trainers’ bios: Download here

Remarks:

Participants will be provided with certificates at the end of the training.

BIRN dhe IPI lansojnë thirrjen për aplikim për kurs trainimi dy-ditor për kontrollimin e fakteve dhe trajtimin e dezinformimit

BIRN dhe Instituti Ndërkombëtar i Medias (IPI) kanë hapur Thirrjen për Aplikime për kursin e tretë dy-ditor të trajnimit mbi kontrollimin e fakteve dhe trajtimin e dezinformimit si pjesë e projektit të financuar nga BE me titull “Solidifikimi i Qëndrueshmërisë së Gazetarëve të Tanishëm dhe të Ardhshëm të Kosovës“,

Edicioni i parë i mbajtur në dhjetorin e vitit 2020 mblodhi një total prej 36 pjesëmarrësish që ishin pjesë e trajnimit, duke përfshirë 24 gazetarë dhe gjashtë studentë të gazetarisë, 20 prej të cilëve ishin gra. Trajnimet u udhëhoqen nga Stephane M. Grueso nga Maldita.es dhe pesë trajnerë të Teyit përfshirë Kansu Ekin Tanca, Gülin Çavuş, Öyküm Hüma Keskin dhe Emre İlkan Saklıca.

Ndërkohë trajnimi i dytë i mbajtur në muajin mars 2021 mblodhi gjithsej 34 pjesëmarrës, 27 prej të cilëve ishin gra. Trajnerët e trajnimit dy-ditor përfshinin Carina Van ëyk, Allëell Okpi dhe Keegan Leech nga Africa Check, organizata e parë e pavarur për kontrollimin e fakteve në Afrikë. Ndërsa dita e dytë u udhëhoq nga Eoghan Sweeney, një specialist i hetimieve me burime të hapura, dhe trainer i cili gjatë dekadës së kaluar ka ndihmuar në krijimin dhe zhvillimin e operacioneve të verifikimit dhe kontrollit të fakteve dixhitale në organizatat mediale në të gjithë globin.

IPI do të ftojë profesionistë të ndryshëm me përvojë nga mediat që të administrojnë kursin e trajnimit dhe të ndajnë njohuritë dhe përvojën e tyre me gazetarët e Kosovës si dhe me studentë të gazetarisë dhe shkencave sociale.

Dita e parë e trajnimit do të mbahet nga Claus Hesseling, gazetar, autor, trajner dhe lektor gjerman i cili do ti mbulojë bazat e kontrollit dhe verifikimit të fakteve, ndërsa dita e dytë e trajnimit do të përfshijë trajnerë të tillë si Miroslava Sirotnikova që kontribuoi për mediat ndërkombëtare, Kostas Zafeiropoulos, bashkëthemelues i Institutit Mesdhetar jo-fitimprurës për Raportim Investigativ (MIIR) dhe gazetar hulumtues për një nga gazetat më të mëdha ditore të Greqisë “Efimerida ton Sintakton”, Darren Loucaides gazetar me qendër në Mbretërinë e Bashkuar me fokus në dezinformim, Edgaras Savickas gazetar hulumtues dhe Sarah Hurtes puna e së cilës është shfaqur në Harper’s Bazaar, Vice dhe Thomson Reuters.

Më shumë informacion në lidhje me trajnerët mund të gjenden përmes bios të tyre në dispozicion për të shkarkuar më poshtë.

Si e vetmja organizatë mediatike në Kosovë e çertifikuar nga Rrjeti Ndërkombëtar i Kontrollimit të Fakteve (IFCN), edhe një herë BIRN është bashkuar me IPI, një rrjet global i redaktorëve, drejtuesve medialëe dhe gazetarëve kryesorë me qendër në BE, në mënyrë që të ndihmojë në përmirësimin e standardeve në gazetarinë kosovare.

Kush e ka të drejtën e aplikimit?

Të drejtën e aplikimit në këtë kurs e kanë studentët të vitit të fundit të gazetarisë dhe shkencave sociale, të sapodiplomuarit, gazetarë të rinj dhe profesionistë nga Kosova.

Kandidatët nga të gjitha pjesët e Kosovës inkurajohen të aplikojnë. Sidoqoftë, numri i pjesëmarrësve është i kufizuar dhe ne do t’u japim prioritet gazetarëve të rinj me më pak përvojë në fushën e përshkruar.

Do të zgjidhen minimum 30 dhe maksimalisht 40 pjesëmarrës.

Si duhet aplikuar?

Ju lutemi plotësoni formularin e dhënë në vegzën si më poshtë:

Language:

Trajnimi do të mbahet në gjuhën angleze, megjithatë, do të sigurohet përkthimi në shqip, serbisht dhe anglisht.

COVID-19 restrictions:

Për shkak të kufizimeve të COVID-19 në Kosovë, si dhe rekomandimeve përkatëse shëndetësore, trajnimi do të jepet në internet përmes platformës Zoom.

Afati i fundit për aplikim: 13 qershor, 2021 sipas kohës lokale (Mesnatë) të Evropës Qendrore

Data e kursit të trajnimit: 16-17 qershor, 2021

Thirrje për aplikim: Shkarkoni këtu

BIO-të e trajnerëve: Shkarkoni këtu

Vërejtje:

Pjesëmarrësit do të pajisen me çertifikata në fund të trajnimit.

BIRN i IPI lansiraju poziv za prijave za treći dvodnevni kurs obuke o proveri činjenica i borbi protiv dezinformacija

BIRN i Međunarodni institut za štampu (IPI) su otvorili poziv za prijavljivanje za treći dvodnevni kurs obuke o proveri činjenica i borbi protiv dezinformacija u okviru projekta koji finansira EU pod nazivom „Učvršćivanje pozicija sadašnjih i budućih novinara na Kosovu“ .

Prvo izdanje je održano u decembru 2020. godine i okupilo je ukupno 36 učesnika koji su bili deo obuke, uključujući 24 novinara i šest studenata novinarstva, od kojih su 20 bile žene. Obuku su vodili Stephane M. Grueso iz Maldita.es i pet trenera Teyit , uključujući Kansu Ekin Tanca, Gülin Çavuş, Öyküm Hüma Keskin i Emre İlkan Saklıca.

Dok se na drugom treningu održanom u martu 2021. godine okupilo ukupno 34 učesnika, od kojih su 27 bile žene. Treneri dvodnevnog treninga bili su Carina Van Wyk, Allwell Okpi i Keegan Leech iz Africa Check, prve nezavisne organizacije za proveru činjenica u Africi. Dok je drugi dan vodio Eoghan Sweeney, specijalista za istrage otvorenog koda i trener koji je tokom protekle decenije pomogao u osnivanju i vođenju operacija digitalne verifikacije i provere činjenica u medijskim organizacijama širom sveta.

IPI će pozvati različite iskusne medijske stručnjake da vode kurs obuke i podele svoje znanje i iskustvo sa kosovskim novinarima, kao i studentima novinarstva i društvenih nauka.

Prvi dan treninga će održati Claus Hesseling, nemački novinar, autor, trener i predavač koji će pokriti osnove provere činjenica i verifikacije, dok će na drugom danu obuke biti uključeni treneri kao što su: Miroslava Sirotnikova koja ja dala doprinos u međunarodnim medijima, Kostas Zafeiropoulos, suosnivač neprofitnog mediteranskog Instituta za istraživačko novinarstvo (MIIR) i istraživački novinar jednog od najvećih grčkih dnevnih listova „Efimerida ton Sintakton“, Darren Loucaides novinar sa sedištem u Velikoj Britaniji fokusiran na dezinformacije, Edgaras Savickas istraživački novinar i Sarah Hurtes čiji je rad objavljen u Harper’s Bazaar, Vice i Thomson Reuters.

Više informacija o trenerima možete naći u njihovoj biografiji, koja je dostupna za preuzimanje ispod.

Kao jedina medijska organizacija na Kosovu koju je sertifikovala Međunarodna mreža za proveru činjenica (IFCN), BIRN se ponovo udružio sa IPI, globalnom mrežom urednika, rukovodilaca medija i vodećih novinara u EU, kako bi se pomoglo u poboljšanju standarda u novinarstvu na Kosovu.

Ko se može prijaviti?

Za kurs se mogu prijaviti studenti na poslednjoj godini studija novinarstva i društvenih nauka, nedavno diplomirani studenti i mladi i profesionalni novinari sa Kosova.

Podstiču se kandidati iz svih delova zemlje da se prijave. Međutim, broj učesnika je ograničen i prednost će biti data mlađim novinarima sa manje iskustva u opisanoj oblasti.

Biće izabrano najmanje 30, a najviše 40 učesnika.

Kako se prijaviti?

Molimo popunite obrazac priložen na linku ispod:

Jezik:

Obuka će biti održana na engleskom jeziku. Međutim, biće obezbeđen prevod na albanski i srpski jezik.

Ograničenja zbog COVID-19:

Zbog ograničenja COVID-19, kao i relevantnih zdravstvenih preporuka, obuka će biti održana onlajn, na Zoom-u.

Rok za prijavljivanje: 13. jun 2021. u ponoć po srednjoevropskom vremenu

Datum održavanja obuke: 16 – 17 jun 2021. godine

Poziv za prijavu: Preuzmite ovde

Biografije trenera: Preuzmite ovde

Napomene:

Na kraju obuke polaznicima će biti uručeni sertifikati.

BIRN Kosovo Trains Teachers Around Kosovo in Public Speaking and Presenting

Between March and May 2021, BIRN Kosovo and Internews Kosova held 60 training workshops for teachers from across the country focusing on public speaking and presenting in front of a camera, thanks to support from the US Embassy in Kosovo.

In cooperation with the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology, as well as Municipal Education Directorates, teachers were trained to use virtual classroom platforms, including Zoom, that can make online teaching easier

The workshops were divided into three parts. The first was an in-depth presentation on Zoom’s features and tools, while the second focused on presentation skills, including a guide on how to position oneself in front of the camera, including phone and laptop cameras. The second aspect of the workshop also focused on preparing for public speaking, including vocal techniques and tips on how to eliminate nerves.

The third and final part of the workshop was practical, with all teachers given the opportunity to practice what they have learned in class and record an e-learning unit in front of the camera, as well as other participants. The training team then discussed each video individually, to allow all participants to learn from each other’s mistakes.

Workshops were organised in the Municipalities of Gjakova (8), Prizren (8), Gjilan (4), Ferizaj (3), Lipjan (4), Rahovec (4), Kamenica (7), Malisheva (9), Fushe Kosove (2), Obilic (2), Vushtrri (4) and Prishtina (5). Up to three teachers attended each workshop, with a total of around 180 teachers having been trained.

Coaches providing training at the workshops included KALLXO.com managing editor Kreshnik Gashi, IT manager Arian Hyseni, IT officer Korab Gërdovci, journalist and editor Doruntina Baliu, Internews Kosova’s Executive Director Faik Ispahiu and producer Valdet Salihu.

Meet the People Behind BIRN: Milka Domanovic

Each month, BIRN will introduce you to its people. For May, meet Milka Domanovic, Lead Researcher at BIRN.

Journalism, fact-checking, radio, video and marketing are just some of Milka Domanovic’s multiple skills. Milka, 35, comes originally from Serbia. She rejoined BIRN in 2019.

From 2013 until 2015, she worked as a journalist and translator for BIRN’s Balkan Transitional Justice programme. Currently, she is involved in the Media for All project, conducting large-scale regional research on local media across the Western Balkans – Albania, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia – and assessing their potential for citizens engagement.

Today she introduces us to Engaged Citizens Reporting (ECR), a tool developed within Media for All, a project implemented by the British Council as a lead partner and Thomson Foundation and INTRAC to support the local media.

“Journalism worldwide is shifting towards collaboration and engagement,” she says. “Some of the greatest investigative stories in recent years, such as the Panama papers, were result of large-scale collaboration between dozens of newsrooms across the world, while established outlets like ProPublica do not shy away from engaging citizens to discover and tell powerful stories on systemic negligence, misconduct or abuse.

“Therefore, for BIRN as a regional network that tries to keep up with the latest trends, while also focusing on local perspectives and work with local media, a venture into engagement journalism was only considered a natural next step,” she adds.

“This project enabled us to launch the tool at 23 different outlets simultaneously and to work with engagement editors from ProPublica to learn about the approach and methodology,” she continues.

Over the last few months, 23 outlets from six Western Balkan countries had the chance to be trained in engagement journalism and have access to the ECR tool. Soon, BIRN will start working with another 28 media from across the region.

In February, Balkan Insight launched its first cross-border investigation based on the ECR tool. “We wanted to engage with different communities in six countries (some in capital cities, some in smaller towns or remote areas) and learn about the complications during childbirth,” Milka says.

“One of the great features of the tool is the technical possibility to conduct large-scale investigations in multiple languages, while the results can be automatically presented in one language. An investigation is yet to be published, as it requires additional research and fact checking, but it shows great potential for such collaborations in future,” Milka points out.

How, and in what way, is the ECR tool important for journalism and journalists? Milka answers that the ECR tool is just a tool, so it is only meaningful when used with a clear journalistic purpose. So, before understanding the tool, we need to understand the citizens and how we can produce quality journalism together.

“Citizens should not only be considered passive recipients of journalistic content; they are often willing to engage and help uncover the truth or malpractice,” Milka explains.

“It is citizens, not just journalists, who have the motive to hold authorities to account. They also have experience, access to different data and possess different sorts of knowledge and expertise that can expose wrongdoings.

“Journalists, on the other hand, are able to see the broader picture, have the skills to investigate and fact-check information gathered by citizens, and have the ethical and professional standards they adhere to. That is why engagement journalism is more than citizen journalism, as media professionals are ultimately responsible for the final output and its quality,” Milka concludes.

Open Call: Storytelling and Fact-Checking Workshop for Young People

Young people from the Western Balkans are invited to apply for a workshop in storytelling and fact-checking on topics of transitional justice, truth-telling and memory. We are inviting young people from any discipline who are interested in these topics to submit a proposal to join us at this workshop.

Storytelling is crucial to the process of transitional justice because it has the power to reveal atrocities and hidden personal memories that can be used to encourage the further sharing of similar experiences and expand knowledge of these narratives. For victims of war crimes and atrocities, storytelling has a healing aspect, as it gives them a voice and provides recognition of their experiences and traumas.

The Balkan Investigative Reporting Network, BIRN is organizing a three-day interactive workshop at which participants will examine truth-seeking and reconciliation as an exercise in storytelling. The workshop will be led by BIRN’s award-winning journalists and editors and will examine how to avoid the trap of producing stories that trivialise war crimes and victims’ experiences and foster impunity. Participants will also learn how to create safe, non-partisan and compassionate space for victims who are sharing their stories.

Following the workshop, BIRN will provide funding and mentoring to participants to produce their own oral history video stories.

The workshop will be held in line with the current coronavirus health regulations.

BIRN and its partner(s) are supported by RYCO within the 4th Open Call for Project Proposals co-financed by the European Union.

Who can apply?

Young journalists, students, activists and anyone else who is interested in addressing these questions. We especially encourage young people from marginalised communities to apply. No previous experience is necessary. We will accept applications from people aged from 18 to 30 years old.

How to apply?

All applications should be submitted in English, BHS or Albanian to [email protected] along with the applicant’s CV and letter of motivation.

DATE OF WORKSHOP: July 26-28, 2021 (three-day session)

LANGUAGE: The working language of the workshop is English

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: Download here

DEADLINE: June 24, at midnight Central European Time

Otvoreni poziv: Radionica za mlade na temu primjene fact-checkinga i storytellinga u novinarstvu

Pozivamo mlade ljude sa područja Zapadnog Balkana da se prijave na radionicu na temu provjere činjenica i usmenog pripovjedanja iz oblasti tranzicione pravde, traženja istine i memorijalizacije. Pozivamo mlade ljude iz bilo koje branše koji su zainteresovani za ove teme da pošalju prijavu i da nam se pridruže na ovoj radionici.

Usmena historija je presudna za proces tranzicijske pravde jer ima moć da razotkrije zločine i objelodani skrivena lična sjećanja, što može poslužiti u ohrabrivanju razmjene sličnih iskustava i proširivanju znanja o tim narativima. Za žrtve ratnih zločina pripovjedanje ima iscjeliteljsku ulogu, jer im daje glas i priznanje njihovim iskustvima i traumama.

Balkanska istraživačka reporterska mreža, BIRN, organizuje trodnevnu interaktivnu radionicu na kojoj će učesnici moći da spoznaju više o procesu traženja istine i pomirenja kroz vježbu usmenog pripovjedanja. Radionicu će voditi nagrađeni novinari i urednici BIRN-a koji će pokazati kako izbjeći zamku stvaranja priča koje trivijaliziraju ratne zločine i iskustva žrtava, te ohrabruju nekažnjavanje. Učesnici radionice će također naučiti kako stvoriti siguran, nepristrasan i suosećajan prostor za žrtve koje dijele svoje priče.

Nakon radionice, BIRN će osigurati finansiranje i mentorstvo učesnicima u produkciji video priča.

Radionica će se održati u skladu s važećim zdravstvenim propisima o koronavirusu.

BIRN i njegov(i) partner(i) su podržani od strane RYCO-a u okviru 4. otvorenog poziva za podnošenje prijedloga projekata koji sufinansira Evropska Unija.

Ko se može prijaviti?

Mladi novinari, studenti, aktivisti i svi drugi koji su zainteresovani za ovu tematiku. Posebno podstičemo mlade ljude iz marginalizovanih zajednica da se prijave. Nije potrebno prethodno iskustvo. Starosna dob učesnika je od 18 do 30 godina.

Kako se možete prijaviti?

Prijave slati na engleskom, BHS (bosanski, hrvatski, srpski) ili na albanskom jeziku na [email protected] zajedno sa CV-jem i motivacionim pismom.

DATUM RADIONICE: 26 – 28.07.2021. (trodnevna radionica)

JEZIK: Radni jezik radionice je engleski.

POZIV ZA PRIJAVE: Preuzmite ovdje

KRAJNJI ROK: 24.06.2021, 12:00h (srednjevropsko vrijeme).

Thirrje e hapur: Seminar për të rinjtë mbi teknikat e raportimit dhe kontrollit të fakteve

Të rinjtë nga vendet e Ballkanit Perëndimor ftohen të aplikojnë për një seminar mbi teknikat e raportimit dhe kontrollimit të fakteve në temat e drejtësisë tranzicionale, tregimit të së vërtetës dhe kujtesës. Ftojmë të rinj nga çdo disiplinë që janë të interesuar për këto tema të paraqesin një propozim për t’u bashkuar me ne në këtë seminar.

Teknika e raportimit është thelbësore për procesin e drejtësisë tranzicionale sepse ajo ka fuqinë të zbulojë mizoritë dhe kujtimet e fshehura personale që mund të përdoren për të inkurajuar ndarjen e mëtejshme të përvojave të ngjashme dhe për të zgjeruar njohuritë e këtyre narrativave. Për viktimat e krimeve dhe mizorive të kohës së luftës, tregimi i historisë ka një aspekt shërues, pasi u jep atyre një zë dhe garanton njohjen e përvojave dhe traumave të tyre.

Rrjeti Ballkanik i Gazetarisë Investigative, BIRN, po organizon një seminar tre-ditor ndërveprues në të cilin pjesëmarrësit do të shqyrtojnë kërkimin e së vërtetës dhe pajtimin si një ushtrim në tregimin e historive. Seminari do të drejtohet nga gazetarë dhe redaktorë të BIRN që kanë fituar çmime të ndryshme dhe do të analizojë se si të shmangni grackën e prodhimit të historive që banalizojnë krimet e luftës dhe përvojat e viktimave dhe nxisin mosndëshkimin. Pjesëmarrësit gjithashtu do të mësojnë se si të krijojnë hapësirë të sigurt, të pavarur dhe të dhembshur për viktimat që tregojnë historitë e tyre.

Pas seminarit, BIRN do të sigurojë fonde dhe udhëzime për pjesëmarrësit që ata të realizojnë vetë historitë e tyre me video.

Seminari do të mbahet në përputhje me rregulloret aktuale shëndetësore kundër përhapjes së koronavirusit.

BIRN dhe partneri (partnerët) e tij mbështeten nga RYCO brenda Thirrjes së katërt të Hapur për Propozime Projektesh të bashkëfinancuar nga Bashkimi Evropian.

Kush mund të aplikojë?

Gazetarë të rinj, studentë, aktivistë dhe kushdo tjetër që është i interesuar të adresojë këto çështje. Ne inkurajojmë veçanërisht të rinjtë nga komunitetet e margjinalizuara që të aplikojnë. Asnjë përvojë e mëparshme nuk është e nevojshme. Do të pranojmë aplikime nga njerëz të moshës nga 18 deri në 30 vjeç.

Si mund të aplikojmë?

Të gjitha aplikimet duhet të dorëzohen në gjuhën angleze, boshnjake ose shqipe në [email protected] së bashku me CV-në e aplikuesit dhe letrën e motivimit.

DATA E SEMINARIT: 26-28 korrik 2021 (seminar tre ditor)

GJUHA: Seminari do të zhvillohet në gjuhën angleze

THIRRJE PËR APLIKIME: Shkarkoni këtu

AFATI PËRFUNDIMITAR: 24 qershor në mesnatë sipas orës së Evropës Qendrore

Journalists’ Notes: How We Revealed The Greek Cargo Ships Polluting The Antarctic

BIRN gives behind-the-scenes insights on how in-depth investigations into critical issues in the region are done by our team of journalists.

Kostas Koukoumakas, former fellow of the Fellowship of Journalistic Excellence and Corina Petridi, BIRN correspondent, both from Greece, reveal what made them work together as a pair and write about Laskaridis, a Greek shipping company with controversial operations in CCAMLR waters.

An inquiring eye, a thirst for news and knowledge, enthusiasm, patience and trust are some of the virtues that a journalist should have when he/she works in collaborative projects.

Read more about Korina and Kostas and their project:

What is your story about?

In February 2020, Greenpeace published a report, “Fishy Business”, pointing out how offshore transshipment facilitates illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. The report dedicated a whole chapter to the Greek shipping company Laskaridis. Later that year, Greenpeace provided us with valuable data that had come up during their research. We decided to look closer at the Greek angle of the story and at the Laskaridis family’s operations in CCAMLR waters.

How much time did your investigation take and did you meet any difficulties?

We worked on the story for about six months. It took us some time to go through the data, organise them and put together all the different pieces of information.

Can you describe from A to Z the steps you followed to complete your story?

The investigation was based firstly on Greenpeace’s mega-database to which we gained access. The database contained information on the routes of dozens of ships that we had to explore. A second step was to link the ships of interest with companies, including subsidiaries or third parties, and this was really complex; data for the companies were mainly obtained from maritime databases, such as Lloyd’s or Equasis. Then, all this had to be connected, with the basic criterion of whether any of these ships had visited Antarctica before or after being detained in ports around the world for environmental deficiencies. A key element was the people in Greece who know the background of the shipping industry and helped us understand how it works. But we have to say that the biggest challenge was to write a story in a “journalistic” way, while making it understandable even to someone who has no idea what a reefer is.

How important is the role of a good editor in an investigation like yours?

It is definitely crucial, as it helps you to get the big picture. When you are immersed in a sea of numbers, names of ships and companies or satellite spots, you need someone to guide you.

Did you feel any fear or stress during your reporting and writing process? If so, how did you confront it?

The biggest stress was not to make a mistake when we had to connect the dots. A fact-checking is needed even for the most obvious points. Investigating shipping issues is also almost taboo in Greece, so we knew well the whole story would be a challenge.

Is it easy for Greek journalists to work on investigative stories like this one?

It’s usually hard to draw connecting lines between an individual, a company and a vessel. Open-source data are scarce, databases with relevant information are expensive and, for some newsrooms, inaccessible. These difficulties are probably faced by most journalists around the world when they report on stories like this.

The extra challenges we journalists in Greece face, though, is that public services in many cases completely ignore media requests, essentially refusing to provide information. That combined with the sparse and inconsistent publication of public records can make our job really tough.

What advice do you have for journalists who want to work on investigative stories like yours?

This was a data-heavy story, and it took us some time to navigate through all the information. Taking notes, making timelines and using colour tags to categorize the files and their content was a time-consuming but necessary procedure, without which we would have found ourselves lost and disoriented. And, of course, it was BIRN’s editorial team that helped us build a comprehensive story, focusing on the most important aspects of the issue.

How easy or difficult it is to work as a pair? What does a journalist need to know when he/she works in collaborative projects?

It was quite easy, as we have reported various stories together in the past and have figured out a way to work as team. Working in collaborative projects is great; each member of the team can contribute in different ways, depending on their sources, skills and experience. What is important is a shared code of ethics, a similar journalistic approach and respect for one another. It’s also useful to allocate the tasks straight from the beginning, to avoid overlapping and confusion.

Corina Petridi

Petridi is a 26-year-old (data) journalist based in Athens. She studied Political Science in the University of Athens and has worked as a journalist since 2016. In 2019, she received a full scholarship from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation to attend LEDE, a four-month data journalism program at Columbia University. She has worked with VICE, Balkan Insight, Algorithm Watch and Solomon Mag. She is a member of the Greek investigative journalism network Reporters United.

Kostas Koukoumakas,

A 37-year-old journalist and producer, based in Athens, Koukoumakas studied Journalism and Mass Media at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. He covers politics, finance and organised crime for major Greek and international media, including Vice, the BBC and ZEIT. He participated in the ICIJ special project, “Offshore Leaks”, reporting on the names behind offshore companies in the British Virgin Islands. Nominated for the European Press Prize/The Investigative Reporting Award 2017 (teamwork category), he won the EU Migration Media Award 2019. He was a BIRN Fellow of Journalistic Excellence, 2015 class.

Twitter: @kkoukoumakas

Web: www.kostas-koukoumakas.com

BIRN Kosovo Journalists Awarded For Stories on Public Procurement

On May 20, three BIRN Kosovo journalists were recognised at the Speak Up for Procurement Awards, held as part of USAID’s Transparent, Effective and Accountable Municipalities project, which is being implemented by Levizja FOL.

The awards, held for the first time in Kosovo this year, seek to acknowledge the contribution of journalists in keeping public procurement transparent.

BIRN’s investigative journalist Dorentina Kastrati was awarded first prize for her article: “The scheme that guaranteed a tender of around 400,000 euros for the Minister of Trade and Industry’s brother.”

The investigation revealed that a company that was designated 400,000 euros to construct a school by the Municipality of Malisheva, Themeli, was owned by the brother of Vesel Krasniqi, who was then serving as the Minister of Trade and Industry at the time. The municipality is run by NISMA, the same political party that Krasniqi represented in the ministry.

Third prize went to two more BIRN journalists, Valon Fana and Vyrtyte Gervalla with their investigation: “Municipality led by Gazmend Muhaxheri provides a tender for the family of Ramiz Kelmendi.”

The story revealed how a tender awarded by the Municipality of Peja to supply food and other products to families in need led to a 1,000 euro profit for a business ran by the family of Ramiz Kelmendi, a former MP.

Second prize meanwhile was awarded to Besnik Krasniqi from KOHA for his investigation “Open deceptions.”

The award-winning journalists encouraged their colleagues to continue to monitor public procurement in order to ensure transparency in public spending and help prevent corruption.

BIRN and Internews Kosova Launch 15th Annual Court Monitoring Report

In 2020, BIRN and Internews Kosova (I/KS) monitored the justice sector for the 15th consecutive year, publishing their findings through the now annual Court Monitoring Report, the latest edition of which was launched on Monday May 17, 2021.

This year’s report focuses on the sentencing practices employed by Kosovo’s courts in corruption cases in 2020, as well as the performance of the judiciary in handling these cases.

BIRN and I/KS requested and received judgements from every corruption case in Kosovo’s courts in 2020, focusing on the 40 convictions achieved outside of plea bargain agreements.

Analysis of these 40 judgements reveals that sentencing practices in corruption cases did not comply with the requirements of the Criminal Code, the Criminal Procedure Code, or the Sentencing Guidelines adopted by the Supreme Court in 2018.

Throughout 2020, Kosovo’s courts issued sentences, suspended sentences, and permitted conversions of prison sentences into fines based on circumstances that were not justified. In the majority of cases, Kosovo’s courts applied mitigating circumstances to issue more lenient sentences without justification, and did not apply circumstances that would aggravate sentences as foreseen by the rules in even a single case.

By rendering sentences that did not adequately reflect the weight and importance of the criminal offences for which the accused were found guilty, the courts have failed to convince society that Kosovo’s judiciary is functioning fairly and impartially.

The quality of a judgement depends on the quality of its reasoning – including the reasons given for determining the severity of the sentence issued. In 2020, Kosovo’s courts did not fulfill the criteria for issuing quality judgements in the majority of corruption cases analysed, particularly in regard to the quality of judgements and the lengths of punishments.

The report also reveals that there were 19% fewer indictments related to corruption filed to the courts in 2020, and there were 25% fewer completions of corruption cases by Kosovo’s courts. In fact, there was a 5% increase in unresolved corruption cases.

Panellists at the launch of the report included Minister of Justice Albulena Haxhiu, Chairperson of the Kosovo Judicial Council Skender Çoçaj, Chairperson of the Kosovo Prosecutorial Council Jetish Maloku, President of the Supreme Court Enver Peci, Chief State Prosecutor Aleksandër Lumezi, President of the Court of Appeals Hasan Shala, Chief Prosecutor at the Special Prosecution Blerim Isufaj, Managing Editor of KALLXO.com Kreshnik Gashi, and Legal Advisor and Coordinator of BIRN Kosovo Labinot Leposhtica.

Leposhtica, the author of the report, presented and summarised its main findings, revealing concrete examples of procedural violations in the judicial system in 2020. He stated that out of the 40 cases analysed, in only three of them had judges taken into account more aggravating than mitigating circumstances. He added that special guidelines for corruption cases are needed to improve sentencing.

Justice minister Haxhiu said that “the judicial system faces many problems and these findings show that the judicial and prosecutorial system needs deep reforms, a direction in which we have started working.” Chairpersons of Kosovo’s Judicial and Prosecutorial Councils, Skender Çoçaj and Jetish Maloku, stated that they will address all the findings and recommendations in the report.

However, Chief Prosecutor Aleksander Lumezi stated that he was aware of the situation in the justice system adding that in order to improve the system overall, it must work more holistically.

Lumezi also stated his opposition to a vetting system imposed by the government, as according to him it should be implemented by the judicial system itself through greater control of judges and prosecutors through disciplinary commissions.

The President of the Supreme Court, Enver Peci also spoke out against the government’s proposed vetting system. In regard to the findings of the report, Peci criticised judges issuing minimal and suspended sentences.

The report is available to download here.

BIRN Albania Opens Call for Investigations on Justice System

The Balkan Investigative Reporting Network in Albania launched a call for investigative stories on May 17, offering grants for three journalists to produce articles on topics related to justice sector.

The call is part of the project “Using Big Data and Multimedia to Boost Quality and Independent Journalism in Albania” supported by the European Union.

The goal of this project is to create an enabling environment for Albanian journalists to produce independent content through training, mentoring, technical and financial support, and close cooperation with civil society, so improving freedom of expression and strengthening media pluralism in Albania.

The call is based on topics suggested by civil society activists and journalists during a joint workshop held on May 10^th via online platforms. The workshop was attended by two dozen civil society activists and journalists, who debated about fundamental rights and the COVID-19 pandemic, justice reform, the fight against corruption and organized crime and electoral crimes during the campaign for Albania’s April 25 parliamentary elections.

The journalists will have around three months to dig deeper and research their ideas, and will also have the opportunity to work with experienced editors as mentors to guide them through the process of writing in accordance with BIRN standards.

The call only applies to journalists from Albania and closes on May 31.

Click here for more information (in Albanian) about the application procedure.

Click here to download the application form (in Albanian).

Open Call for Second Round of Traineeship Programme for Young Journalists

Journalism students, recent graduates and journalists at the beginning of their career from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia are welcomed to apply for a paid four-month traineeship programme at well-respected media outlets across the region.

If you are looking to kick off your career in journalism, but are struggling to find the right place to gain practical knowledge, our traineeship programme is what you need. The Balkan Investigative Reporting Network, BIRN, is collaborating with established, independent and highly professional media outlets across the Western Balkans to offer a total of 12 placements alongside financial and mentoring support.

The second round of the traineeship programme was launched after successfully completing a first cycle from November 2020 until February 2021, where 12 aspiring, young journalists spent four months working in professional newsrooms in the region, producing over 300 different news pieces. Some examples of their work may be seen here, here, here and here.

The programme, implemented within the Media for All project saw a great success as a number of participants were offered roles or temporary positions at different media after completing their traineeship.

The second round is set to begin in July with an online training on the basics of journalism led by experienced international editor and trainer, Matt Robinson. Trainees will then spend four months at one media outlet, where they will have a dedicated mentor and senior staff member, who will provide every-day guidance and feedback.

Interns will have the chance to become full-time members of the newsroom for four months, attending editorial meetings, learning how to pitch ideas and chose relevant angle for a story, learning how to cover daily events and perform different kinds of interviews, working in the field, doing a live broadcast, writing analyses, feature stories, fact-checks and much more. Trainees will receive financial support to cover minimum living costs during those four months.

We are offering 12 full-time traineeship placements in six Western Balkans countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia (two placements per country, see the full list of host media here).

Due to the travel restrictions and health concerns caused by COVID-19, applicants will be placed in the outlet in their country of residence. Applicants may express their preferences as to which media outlet they would like to spend their traineeship with, but the organisers maintain the right to make the final decision about placement.

Who can apply?

Senior year journalism students, recent graduates or young journalists from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia may apply.

Applicants must be between 18 and 26 years old.

Candidates from all parts of the country in question are encouraged to apply, as the project can provide funds for travel within one country, as well as accommodation costs.

Financial support:

All selected participants will receive financial support during their placement to cover minimum living costs.

In case candidates need to travel or relocate within the country during the course of the programme, travel and accommodation costs will also be covered by the organisers.

How to apply?

Applicants should complete and submit only one application. All applications should be submitted in English before June 13^th, at midnight CET to [email protected] along with the following documents:

Applicant’s CV (in English)
Motivation letter (in English)
Work sample (in English or local language)
Evidence of status (in English or local language)

The motivation letter should show how you would benefit from this programme and your motivation to participate.

Applicants who do not have any published work can submit their student assignments from practical courses in journalism.

Applicants should provide evidence of their current status – whether they are students, recent graduates or working as journalists. This evidence includes, but are not limited to, confirmation of enrolment for the ongoing academic year OR diploma/degree certificate/confirmation of graduation issued in the last two years OR evidence of your current employment.