With the fifth and final session, held on 24 June 2026, we successfully concluded the training cycle for women journalists and women civil society activists, organized as part of the project “Gender-Sensitive Journalism for Local Media Pluralism (GEM).” The final session focused on gender disinformation—an increasingly significant challenge to professional journalism, democratic dialogue, and the safety of women in the public sphere.
The training was delivered by experts Ognen Janeski and Neda Chalovska Dimovska, who, through presentations, analyses of national and international case studies, and interactive discussions, introduced participants to the concept of gender disinformation, its most common forms, methods of dissemination, and its impact on women journalists, women politicians, women activists, and other women in public life. Particular attention was paid to identifying manipulative narratives, understanding their connection to gender-based violence, and exploring the role of the media in recognizing and countering them.
In the final part of the session, participants planned the next project activities, including the production of media content and the organization of information and educational sessions in local media newsrooms. In this way, the knowledge gained during the training will serve as a basis for applying the principles of gender-sensitive reporting in everyday journalistic practice.
The training programme comprised five thematic sessions covering different aspects of gender-sensitive journalism, providing women journalists and women civil society activists with the opportunity to strengthen their knowledge and skills through practical examples, discussions, and the exchange of experiences.
This article, developed as part of the project Gender-Sensitive Journalism for Local Media Pluralism (GEM), implemented by NGO Info-centre is supported through the MEdIA–Lit project, implemented by the Centre for Civic Education (CCE/CGO), in partnership with Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Serbia (HCHRS), Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in North Macedonia (MHC), Tirana Centre for Journalistic Excellence in Albania (TCJE), Atlantic Initiative in Bosnia and Herzegovina (AI). The project is financed by the European Union and co-financed by the Ministry of Regional and Investment Development and Cooperation with Non-Governmental Organizations of the Government of Montenegro.
