Economic Reporting Training - Making local sense of a global crisis
The economic meltdown is on. Citizens and the government structures of Serbia are facing a difficult year. In Sandzak region, for instance, the unemployment rate is increasing, factories are closing up, the municipal budget resources are limited and grey market is flourishing. Local, commercial media across Serbia are struggling for survival. Citizens need reliable economic reporting more than ever because the economic crisis is affecting their lives. |
Ten journalists from local media across Serbia will report on these and many other consequences of the economic crisis in their communities. They participated in the USAID-supported Economic Reporting training that took place in Belgrade from 14 to 16 of March.
The IREX and BIRN (Balkan Investigative Reporters’ Network) offices in Belgrade developed the training agenda which included causes of the global economic crisis, its effects worldwide, in the region and in Serbia, the measures being undertaken and prospects for the future. The journalists coming from Novi Sad, Sandzak region, Zajecar, Vranje, Uzice and Pozarevac learned about the elements of economic news and reports, writing and recognizing a good economic story, using the law on free access to information for their economic reports, all supported by case studies and exercises.
We will find their reports and analysis in Balkan Insight starting with the April editions. Jointly with the BIRN trainer Gordana Igric the training participants discussed the topics they would be exploring further in the mentoring process over the following three weeks. Here is a quick overview of the reports and analysis that we are to expect: Azra Music will write about real estate high prices, lack of demand for purchasing apartments and houses, deficit of housing units, citizens’ fear caused by the crisis, the investors’ positions and capital safety. Zoran Maksimovic will explore further the letting offs in the textile industry in Sandzak, grey economy development and the crisis effects on the textile industry in that region in general. Further, we will be seeing reports from Novi Sad on the unstable management of the Novi Sad Bus station leading to mistrust of investors and, privatization of hotels in the context of the economic crisis. From Zajecar, we have a story about the milk factory and destruction of small enterprises in privatization. The news on the decrease in number of working days at Alfa – home appliances manufacture, has caused panic in Vranje. Citizens are concerned for their employment status. Nenad Ristic from Vranjske novine will analyse the effects of the economic crisis on the best companies in this town. Finally, Biljana Pavlovic will be reporting on Serbian exporters in the time of crisis, their search for new markets and survival strategies.
As Mike Harvey, USAID Mission Director stressed in addressing the training participants ’’there is a general lack of quality reporting on economic issues and a reliable source of information on economic issues that affect people’s lives is necessary’’ for, it is the citizens of Serbia who will ultimately benefit from trustworthy, objective and understandable Economic Reporting in the times of crisis.
