November 11th, 2015 - The Budapest Centre presents a roundtable on the role of journalists in preventing genocide and countering extremism

On November 11th, the Budapest Centre for the International Prevention of Genocide and Mass Atrocities will organize a roundtable on the role of journalists in preventing genocide and countering extremism. This is a pre-event of the VIII Budapest Human Rights Forum and will take place at the Hungarian Institute of Foreign Affairs and Trade from 14:30 to 17:15.

Locally-based journalists in the “hotspots” are key sources of information from the field. They are in favourable position to collect and provide fair, unbiased and accurate information on conflict settings. At the same time, news edited by local correspondents may misinform decisionmakers, lead them to wrong decisions, and manipulate public opinion. Being in possession of first hand information on the events, local environment and mentalities correspondents in the field could similarly to other civil actors greatly contribute to effective mass atrocity prevention. By adopting mass atrocity lens and giving a voice to minorities, vulnerable groups and other potential victims journalists deployed in zones at risk can share valuable and specific early warning information with the public and make the difference in political decisions and in the approach of the affected populations. Thus, they are in key positions to help address threats, prevent mass atrocities, and heal traumas and wounds of victims.

The roundtable wishes to highlight the possibilities of the media through discussing the role of journalists as individuals in addressing situations at mass atrocity risk where we shall also take account of the present migration wave. The workshop will offer an interactive space for exchanging views between journalists, representatives of governments, academia, civil society, and international organizations to combine the theory with practice.

Read the full programme here.

Registration can be completed via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. not later than November 9th, 2015.

If you wish to receive more information about the panel discussion, please contact:
Ms. Thea Restovin
Research Assistant
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.