Holocaust Memorial Day 2018 Discussion resource - Journalism

Learn facts about the Genocide in Bosnia The power of words to witness - the responsibility of the press Darfur in Sudan A discussion session designed specifically for those interested in journalism. You will: Read Christiane Amanpour’s story of being a witness to the genocide in Srebrenica, Bosnia Learn facts about the Genocide in Bosnia Discuss the definition and use of the legal term ‘genocide’ Explore a journalist’s potential responses when performing the role of witness, and the power of your words

Holocaust Memorial Day Darfur in Sudan Holocaust Memorial Day Holocaust Memorial Day is on 27 January every year. 27 January marks the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi death camp.

Fact sheet and Questions Darfur in Sudan Fact sheet and Questions Use the fact sheets to learn about the Genocide in Bosnia, and find the answers to the below questions: What are the colours on the Bosnian flag? What are the three main ethnic groups in Bosnia Herzegovina? Name two of the five states Yugoslavia became between 1991-1994. What were non-Serbs forced to wear in Prijedor? Can you name the notorious camp that held 3,500 people? How long did the Siege of Sarajevo last? Who named Srebrenica as a ‘safe area’ in 1993? Who was Ratko Mladić? How many Bosnian Muslims were murdered in the massacre at Srebrenica? In what month and year did the massacre take place?

‘I do actually think that when journalists do their duty Darfur in Sudan Christiane Amanpour ‘I do actually think that when journalists do their duty and tell the story and report the truth, that it does eventually make a difference.’ By Amanpourtátk [CC BY 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons]

Discussion point one – objectivity Darfur in Sudan Discuss the quote below. ‘Objectivity I believe means giving each side their hearing but not treating each side the same. Not drawing a moral equivalence which would be a false equivalence… The forces who are bombarding, besieging and shelling a city full of civilians do not have the same moral standing as those who are being bombed, shelled, starved and besieged.’ Amanpour did not shy away from drawing moral distinctions between different sides in the war. This went against the journalistic code at the time of remaining objective. What are the arguments for and against her approach? By Amanpourtátk [CC BY 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons]

Discussion point two - criticism Darfur in Sudan Amanpour is one of the world’s leading war correspondents. However, her approaches and instincts have been controversial and received criticism. Stephen Kinzer’s article in the New York Times on 9 October 1994 included this quote from an anonymous colleague of Amanpour’s: ‘[Christiane Amanpour] was sitting in Belgrade when that marketplace massacre happened, and she went on the air to say that the Serbs had probably done it. There was no way she could have known that. She was assuming an omniscience which no journalist has.’ What do you think about Amanpour speculating in this way? What were the factors influencing her decision to do so? How does this story relate to the earlier discussion on objectivity? Markale marketplace By nate.gay - Woman Working in the MarketUploaded by Smooth_O, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=30201653

Discussion point 3 - Amanpour questioning President Bill Clinton Darfur in Sudan Watch these two clips: Amanpour questioning Clinton from Sarajevo: Reflecting on that moment later in her career: From the CNN YouTube channel From the Makers YouTube channel

Q Darfur in Sudan The definition of genocide Sometimes journalists are the first people to witness atrocities and suggest that they might be defined as genocide. Q Question What is genocide? In small groups, discuss what you think might be included in the definition of genocide. When do you think this word was invented? Compare your ideas, then click to the next slide to find out the full definition and see how close your ideas were.

geno- with -cide Raphael Lemkin Darfur in Sudan A Polish Jewish lawyer called Raphael Lemkin coined the word ‘genocide’ in 1944, in response to the Holocaust. In 1946 the General Assembly of the United Nations resolved that genocide was a crime under international law. Lemkin formed the word by combining geno- with -cide from the Greek word for race or tribe from the Latin word for killing

Q The legal definition Darfur in Sudan Genocide means any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, as such: (a) Killing members of the group; (b) Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group; (c) Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part;  (d) Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group;  (e) Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group. Q Questions How many of your ideas are featured in this definition? What did you miss out or include? Did you have other ideas about what kinds of groups can be targeted in genocide? What criticisms might be brought against this definition?

DISCUSS What is the role of journalists during a genocide? Darfur in Sudan What is the role of journalists during a genocide? DISCUSS

What is the role of journalists during a genocide? Darfur in Sudan What is the role of journalists during a genocide? Possible answers: To discover the truth? To tell the world what is happening? To gather information and testimony? What else? Should a journalist: Make a judgement on what is happening? Put pressure on governments or world leaders to take action? Intervene or try and rescue people?

How are words used in the media today? Darfur in Sudan How are words used in the media today? Can you think of examples of: Words used to resist Words used to dehumanise people Words used to unite Words used to divide people

Protesters march in cities How are words used in the media today? Darfur in Sudan Can you think of examples of: Words used to resist Words used to dehumanise people Protesters march in cities across the UK Migrants swarm to Britain Not in my name Flood of refugees Words used to unite Words used to divide people My refugee journey Travellers invade village

How will you use the power of your words for good? Darfur in Sudan How will you use the power of your words for good?