The Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN) of Bosnia and Herzegovina has sent invitations to journalists, activists, and representatives from various non-governmental organisations across the nation for an extensive three-day training session. The event will take place in Sarajevo from 29 September to 1 October and will be followed on 2 October by the Internet Governance Forum. This effort aims to solve problems involving the infringement of digital freedoms and rights in the Balkan area. Participants will leave the course with a thorough grasp of how the internet and its networks operate, enabling them to recognise and report cases of digital rights infringement with greater accuracy.

Participants will receive mentoring and financial support to implement ideas on human rights violations in digital spaces, including freedom of expression, media access, and violence against marginalised groups. The training program aims to create compelling stories and change policies supporting digital rights across the Balkans, including Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Why does it matter?

In an increasingly digitised world, the Balkan Research Network (BIRN) of Bosnia and Herzegovina's training initiative holds immense significance. By empowering journalists, activists, and NGO representatives, this program equips them to identify and address digital rights violations. Participants gain insights crucial for reporting on these violations in a landscape where the internet's impact intersects with political developments. The initiative matters because it acknowledges these individuals' pivotal role in driving change. Equipped with enhanced skills and knowledge, they can reshape public discourse and influence policies upholding digital rights, fostering a more informed and responsible digital landscape in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the broader Balkans.