TIRANA, March 13 – Ten Albanian and Serb journalists have exchanged visits as part of an exchange program seeking to help overcome stereotypes in both the Albanian and Serbian media
The five Albanian journalists who traveled to Belgrade in January and five Serb journalists who visited Tirana this month came together in round table discussion. During their visits to the respective capitals, the groups of journalists met with civil society representatives, businesses, members of parliament, government representatives and others.
Organized by the Albanian Media Institute, the exchange is intended to expand contacts between media professionals and improve reporting on neighbors in the Balkan region.
David Muniz, the Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. embassy described the Serbia-Albania relationship as “one of the bright spots in the region in the last few years.”
“I think there is potential there and I hope that the relationship will continue to improve and grow, including economically,” he said.
Muniz said he had seen the poor and the better examples of media in perpetuating or overcoming stereotypes when he previously served in the U.S. embassies in Kosovo and Montenegro.
“I have seen some of the poor reporting and stereotypes that both sides have of each other and the harm that can come from that. I encourage you to continue your interactions with each other, continue to open up your minds and perspectives, learn a bit more; if you’re a Serb, learn as much as you can about Albania; vice versa if you are Albanian. The more interaction we see, the more we’ll be breaking down the stereotypes and building a stronger region,” Muniz said.
A drone incident with a nationalist background in Albania’s Euro 2016 qualifier with Serbia in Belgrade in late 2014 escalated beyond football, sparking tensions and stereotypes between the two countries.
However, a recent survey by the Albanian Institute for International Studies has shown the majority of Albanians believe relations between Albania and Serbia are normal and likely to improve in the future and such improvements are in the best interest of both countries
