Reporting on Violent Extremism and Terrorism - Guidelines for Journalists

"Journalists need to resist the urge to sensationalize events in their interest to attract the eyes, ears and clicks” – as stated in the UNESCO Guidelines on reporting on terrorism and violent extremism. This statement once again underlines the importance of overcoming many challenges that stand in the way of reporting on these topics. Guided by these issues, the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina organized the conference "Media and Terrorism" in September 2018, and once again drew attention to the importance of accuracy of information based on facts, independence, impartiality, humanity, transparency and responsibilities, when it comes to media-monitoring of violent extremism and terrorism. As stated in the conclusions from the conference, precision and the use of clear terminology is essential for explaining the seriousness and tragic nature of the situation without misleading readers and viewers and sensationalist approach to events.