Transitional Justice and Transitional Journalism : Case-Study on Kosovo

Sweeney, James (2020) Transitional Justice and Transitional Journalism : Case-Study on Kosovo. International Journal of Transitional Justice, 14 (3). 483–503. ISSN 1752-7716

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Abstract

This article documents the findings of a ground-breaking empirical project combining socio-legal and media studies, which examined journalists’ perceptions of their role in relation to transitional justice in Kosovo. Based upon the qualitative analysis of 30 semi-structured interviews with professional journalists in Kosovo during the summer of 2018, the article shows that key issues in the study of transitional justice appear in respect of what, building on notions of ‘peace journalism’, can be termed ‘transitional journalism’. Issues include the extent to which ‘transitional journalism’ is, or should be, a distinct ‘field’ at all; as well as debates about the relative priority to give to accountability, reconciliation, historical accounting, or victims’ rights within the practice of ‘transitional journalism’ at any given time. Identifying and engaging with these issues will allow greater agency in, and ownership of, decisions taken about ‘transitional journalism’.