Troll of the month

Troll of the Month: Media outlet Sinjali

September 4, 2026

The Balkan Troll of the Month is an individual, a group of individuals or a media outlet that spreads hate based on gender, ethnicity, religion, or other diversity categories. The Balkan Troll is selected based on hate speech incidents identified across the Western Balkan region.

During the month of August, Kosovar media outlet Sinjali published a video showing a young person standing in front of two police officers and several other people. At one point, the individual attempted to take their own life in front of those present. The police officers reacted quickly. According to the outlet’s report, the person survived the suicide attempt.

Following the incident, Sinjali published the video on its Facebook page with the warning: “Sensitive content. The video is covered so that users can choose whether they want to view it.” However, providing such a warning does not justify publishing footage of a suicide attempt online for the availability of the general public.

A few days later, a girl died by suicide, and the same media outlet went on to publish her photograph, as well as information about where she was from, her age, and her full name. Citing its sources, the outlet also reported details about the method of her death. This is not only a breach of professional standards but can also be harmful, as such reporting can contribute to imitation and further harm.

Following these incidents, the Association of Journalists of Kosovo, as well as civil society organisations, reacted to what they described as continuous unprofessional reporting and breach of the Code of Ethics by Sinjali. Furthermore, a protest was also held, called for by the organisation Linja e Jetës (Life Line), the only centre in Kosovo dedicated to suicide prevention and emotional support.

Publishing videos of suicide attempts or photos alongside personal data about people who have died by suicide is extremely harmful and unprofessional. Such information and graphic imagery can be extremely disturbing to audiences especially people who have lost loved ones to suicide or those who have experienced suicidal thoughts. Furthermore, publishing such information goes against all ethical codes by sharing private information and photos in an effort to sensationalise a story. The media has a professional and ethical responsibility to report on cases of suicide in a manner that adheres to by all codes and journalistic standards.

Responsible journalism has the power to save lives. By treating suicide as a public health issue rather than an isolated tragedy, omitting identifying details and private information, focusing on the broader phenomenon and mental health protection rather than individual cases, and always including support contacts alongside stories of recovery, media professionals can help prevent further loss of life rather than inadvertently contribute to it. The responsibility lies with journalists to report with care, accuracy, and compassion, because the way we tell these stories matters just as much as whether we tell them at all.

Troll of the Month: The Radio Television of Republika Srpska

August 9, 2024

July 11th marks the International Day of Commemoration of the Genocide in Srebrenica – the systematic killing of more than 8 thousand Bosniak men and boys in and around the town of Srebrenica between July 11 and July 22, 1995. The genocide occurred during the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina that lasted from 1992 to 1995.

In May this year, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution sponsored by Germany and Rwanda, to designate July 11 as the International Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the 1995 Srebrenica Genocide. This Resolution also served to condemn any denial of the genocide as a historical event and called on ‘Member States to preserve the established facts, including through their educational systems, towards preventing denial and distortion, and any occurrence of genocide in the future’. Alongside this, the Assembly also requested that the Secretary-General establish an outreach program on the Srebrenica genocide in preparation for the 30th Anniversary.

Within Bosnia and Herzegovina, in 2021 the High Representative Valentin Inzko at the time, used his power to amend the country’s criminal code to ban the denial of genocide and glorification of war criminals. The new ban outlaws ‘the public denial, condoning, trivialisation or justification of genocide, crimes against humanity or war crimes when this is done in a way that is” likely to incite violence or hatred”.’ Those who choose to break this ban could face a prison sentence ranging from six months to five years.

This year, on the International Day of Commemoration of the Genocide in Srebrenica, some media in Republika Srpska (including prominent Nezavisne novine and the public service Radio Television of Republika Srpska) relativised the genocide in their media reports, calling it a “crime against Bosniaks”. Refusing to use the term ‘genocide’ and instead calling it a ‘crime’ is extremely problematic, particularly by the media, as it minimises the systematic and intentional nature of the atrocities. This mislabeling can also perpetuate a narrative that downplays the suffering of victims and hinders justice and accountability for the perpetrators.

Furthermore, RTRS additionally portrayed Bosniaks in a negative light – a technique used to deepen the division. In their article about the commemoration, they wrote that Serb councillors in the Srebrenica municipal assembly observed a minute’s silence to honour all the innocent victims of Srebrenica. The article claimed that the Bosniaks boycotted the commemorative session, as they had done in previous years.

Creating this divide between various communities within the country, especially on a day marking a horrific event in Bosniak history, is extremely insensitive and problematic. One cannot dictate how another group commemorates their tragic past. Such narratives only deepen divisions, foster blame, and exacerbate existing tensions, particularly in a region where denial of these events persists.

Although it is true that the media has been revitalising the Srebrenica genocide in previous years, this year is specific due to the UN resolution which was adopted in May. Genocide denial in the Balkans is still very much prevalent and a consistent pattern especially heightened around the time of the commemoration. This year, the tensions have been rising since the discussion on the UN resolution began, culminating in its adoption and resulting in various politicians and members of the public denying the genocide took place and refusing to name it as such.

Genocide denial is profoundly hateful, harmful, and insulting to both the victims and their families. Narratives of denial must be confronted and removed to accept and acknowledge the past. The media has a critical responsibility to avoid perpetuating genocide denial or causing divisions within heterogenous ethno-religious communities like Bosnia, as such actions undermine social cohesion and hinder reconciliation efforts.