Hilfswerk International hosted a workshop on communicating content about migration in public space
In the period from June 10 to 13, 2025, Hilfswerk International organized a workshop dedicated to mapping and strengthening professional and ethical standards in migration reporting. The aforementioned activity was held as the second workshop in a row related to the process of implementing a future media campaign in the field of migration, asylum and return, which this time was realized with the aim of improving practices, methods and approaches in reporting and communication.
In this regard, representatives of the PR sector of the Ministry of Security of BiH, the Service for Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the KS, the Agency for Police Support of BiH, with the ensured participation of media representatives at the regional level and representatives of the Center for Investigative Journalism of Montenegro, had the opportunity for a two-day exchange of experiences on this important topic and a discussion on current challenges in communication on the topic of migration, with the aim of identifying concrete recommendations for improving the media narrative in the public space.
During the event, participants had the opportunity for individual and group work that resulted in recommendations for reporting including: use of clear, verified and precise information with defined verification channels, use of non-discriminatory terminology in reporting while giving importance to both global and local narratives about migration with the insurance of unique voice of people in migration.
The workshop was realized with the aim of harmonizing uniform ways and channels of collecting, verifying and distributing information as the basis of balanced and factual reporting, thereby preventing one-sided and sensationalistic representations of the topic of migration in public discourse and space; preventing the polarization of narratives which can create a huge challenge to the regional - constructive dialogue.
In addition to defining practical recommendations and guidelines, the workshop resulted in strengthening the capacity of security institutions for their further improvement of strategic communication on the subject of migration, asylum and return.
Transparent and responsible reporting on the topic of migration is a crucial issue not only of professional duty, but also of a humanistic and ultimately ethical approach in creating a regional narrative, which, in accordance with respect for human rights and freedoms, will become a tool against prejudice, division and discrimination.
This workshop was organized as part of the project “Strengthening Migration Management, Asylum and Return Processes in the Western Balkans” financed by the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) and the Federal Ministry of the Interior of Austria.
More about the project: https://hwi.ba/en/projects/refugees-migrants-displaced-persons/strengthening-migration-management-asylum-and-return-processes-in-the-western-balkans/22
