Available for Comment on Kosovo: Michael Kott, Expert on Media's Role in Promoting Peace in Kosovo

Available for Comment on Kosovo: Michael Kott, Expert on Media's Role in Promoting Peace in Kosovo

- Inclusive Reporting Project Creates 'Safe Space' for Communities to Share

Concerns -

BACKGROUND:
-- Kosovo is a rigidly divided society where little interaction takes
place between Albanians and Serbs.
-- Communication between Albanians and Serbs is essential during this
time period of considering UN Special Envoy's Kosovo status proposal
and in the long term for building peace.
-- Media exacerbated conflict in 2004 by inaccurately reporting stories.

KOSOVO TEAM REPORTING INITIATIVE:
-- AED is working with mixed Albanian and Serbian reporting teams in
Kosovo to produce the first joint television programming aimed at
both Albanian and Serbian communities.
-- The programs have offered each community the first glimpse of the
other's views. In interviews with average people, the programs cover
subjects ranging from unemployment and education to, more recently,
the status proposal.

RESULTS TO DATE:
-- Preliminary evaluations indicate a change in attitude among the
participating journalists and television stations. Many now see the
media as playing a role in fostering mutual understanding.
-- Feedback from Albanian and Serb viewers about the Kosovo Team
Reporting TV program is positive: 91% reported some increased
interest in communicating or interacting more often with the other
community, and 86% reported being more aware about the other
community's perspectives on social issues.

WHO:
-- Michael Kott, vice president and director of the AED Center on Civil
Society and Governance, oversees the Kosovo Team Reporting Initiative
and can comment on life in Kosovo and the media's role in promoting
communication and interaction.

AED is an independent, nonprofit organization committed to improving health, education, and economic opportunities for the least advantaged in the United States and developing countries throughout the world.

CONTACT: MARY MAGUIRE
o- +202-884-8631
m- +240-447-4658

PRNewswire-USNewswire -- May 25

Source: Academy for Educational Development

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Profile: intent