OSCE Mission to Serbia hosts seminar for journalists from Pristina and Belgrade reporting on organized crime

BELGRADE, 25 November 2010 -An OSCE-organized seminar on investigative journalism focusing on coverage of organized crime for journalists from Pristina and Belgrade started today in Belgrade.

Ten journalists from Pristina and ten from Belgrade will discuss and hear from regional experts during the two-day seminar, organized jointly by the OSCE Mission to Serbia and the OSCE Mission in Kosovo. A second part of the seminar will be held next year in Pristina.

"Dialogue among media professionals is essential to establishing a common platform for suggesting solutions, promoting confidence-building and increasing dialogue opportunities among the region's societies," said the Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia, Ambassador Dimitrios Kypreos. "Officials, journalists and civil society have a common interest in addressing the problems of organized crime and corruption. By doing so, they contribute to Western Balkan stability."

Officials from the Serbia's Interior Ministry, Justice Ministry, Public Prosecutor's Office, Anti-Corruption Agency and Council for fight Against Corruption will take part in seminar panel discussions, as will leading representatives of international and local non-governmental organizations. Participants also will visit media outlets.

"This seminar helps me learn more about how to cover corruption and organised crime. It also is an excellent opportunity to also meet colleagues from Pristina and share experiences with them," said Jelena Dikovic, journalist from Belgrade's Danas daily.

Selvije Bajrami, a journalist from Pristina's Zeri daily, added:
"The seminar is a valuable opportunity to learn how the Serbian Government sees the problem of organized crime and corruption, as well as the mechanisms they use to tackle these problems. It is also a good opportunity to make contacts with other journalists, with whom we can co-operate when our stories intersect."