Media groups promote tolerance among ethnic minortities



Three media organizations in the former Yugoslavia have launched a new educational service on minority rights and interethnic tolerance.

The STINA News Agency in Croatia, the Media Plan Institute in Bosnia-Herzegovina and the School of Journalism in Serbia and Montenegro are organizing the new project, titled, "Ethnic Minorities - Bridges of Cooperation and Factor of Stabilization among the States of the Former Yugoslavia."

The six-month initiative is designed to establish a media network to promote cooperation and stability among ethnic minorities in the region. The groups plan to distribute 12 bi-weekly, electronic newsletters on topics related to minorities and interethnic tolerance.

The first issue of the "Regional Herald for Promotion of Culture of Minority Rights and Interethnic Tolerance" was released on July 30. It included articles on the relationship between ethnic minorities and the media. The second issue will focus on hate speech in politics, the media and everyday life and its effects on interethnic relations.

The groups will also produce 12 radio programs for broadcast
on stations in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia and Serbia and Montenegro.

To subscribe to the newsletter, e-mail udovicic.r@mediaplan.ba in Bosnia and Herzegovina, stina@zamir.net in Croatia, and nonos@EUnet.yu in Serbia and Montenegro.

(IJNet, Issue #270, 16 August 2004)