It’s not easy to report the truth in the Western Balkans.
A significant proportion of the media here is either a mouthpiece for the ruling parties or a vehicle for other powerful elites determined to push their own agendas. This results in media that is riddled with disinformation powered by foreign and domestic political forces that threaten the very fabric of democracy.
#CheckitFirst is ARTICLE19’s new campaign to promote ethical journalism and prevent the spread of fake news in Bosnia & Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro and Serbia.
We are working alongside journalists and media professionals to improve the accuracy of news reporting and boost media literacy among the public in the region. When journalists like you are free to create media that is accurate, honest and impartial, you build a landscape where truth thrives and disinformation crumbles – ultimately helping to create a more democratic society.
Ethical Journalism Awards winners
Sign the Ethical Journalism Pledge
Endorse the pledge of upholding ethical journalism principles:
I, the undersigned, pledge to adhere to the professional principles of ethical journalism. By signing this pledge, I commit to fully incorporating the code of conduct from my country in my reporting.
Pledge signatories
Andela Andrijevic, Dejana Cvetkovic, Dragica Mačkić, Jelena Čolović, Maja Stojanovic, Sanja Đorđević, Slađana Dimitrijević, Tijana Lekić, An-Djurdja Radulovic, Danijela Lasica, Drazen Vujovic, Igor Mitrovic, Miloš Rudović, Svetlana Mandić, Adelina Ahmeti, Minel Abaz, Aulonë Kadriu
Dardan Hoti, Alena Beširević, Dino Cviko, Dragan Maksimović, Tamara Stankov, Marija Vučić, Vladislav Stojičić, Harun Dinarević, Aleksandar Dokic, Dunja Karanović, Butrint Avdyli, Stefan Kosanović, Andrea Perišić, Florentina Hoti, Saranda Aliu, Teodora Ćurčić
Maja Boričić, Jelena Đukić Pejić, Nikoleta Rakočević, Jakov Daković, Amil Dučić, Tamara Bajčić, Jovana Tomić, Ivana Milosavljevic, Kristina Perić Vanja Stokić, Emir Velić, Vanja Đurić, Zorica Krstić Vorgučić, Milena Popović, Milena Bakić, Anja Raonic
Leka Dedivanovi, Danica Nikolić, Jelena Ćorluka, Vukašin Obradović, Ilmira Lika, Dinko Gruhonjić, Ivana Kragul, Miloš Vlahović, Vanja Stokić, Nebojša Vučinić, Samir Rastoder, Irena Čejović, Branka Katnic, Ajrona Resulani
#CheckitFirst first round jury
Second round jury
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#CheckitFirst Partners
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#CheckitFirst Ethical Journalism Pledge
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#CheckitFirst campaign is part of an EU funded regional project focusing on tackling foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI). This project seeks to contribute to more democratic resilience to FIMI and to lessen chances of inter-communal conflict caused by FIMI in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro and Serbia.
This campaign is funded by the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of ARTICLE19 and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.