COMM 419: Week 8
From Peace to Conflict: The Media in the Yugoslavian Ethnic War
From Peace to Conflict: The Media in the Yugoslavian Ethnic War
Socialist leader Tito died in 1980, which marked the beginning of the tension between different
ethnic groups in Yugoslavia, which would eventually lead to the disintegration of the country. The
war crimes are still not fully resolved and the status of Kosovo, an autonomous territory, remains a
point of contention in international relations. This week, we examine one major time of conflict: the
ethnic war within the former Yugoslavia between 1992 and 1995. Through the case of the former
Yugoslavia, students will learn the role of mass media in the process of 1) constructing ethnic and
national identities, 2) fostering conflict and 3) promoting political agendas. This lesson will provide
an insight into the power of media during a time of war and ethnic violence.
Learning Objectives
Upon the completion of this lesson, students should be able to
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(Re-)Define previously discussed conceptualizations of nationality, ethnicity and
nationalism;
Articulate the specific role mass media (could) play at the time of conflict;
Recognize and apply the theories of patriotic journalism and propaganda in subsequent
media analyses.
Key Concepts, Topics and Names
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Nationality; Ethnicity
Ethnic conflict
Patriotic journalism
Propaganda
Reading and Viewing Materials
Class reading (for students)
Taylor, M. & Kent, M. L. (2000). Media Transitions in Bosnia: From propagandist past to uncertain
future. Gazette 62 (5), 355-378.
Referenced texts (only for instructor)
Oberschall, A. (2000). The manipulation of ethnicity: From ethnic cooperation to violence and war
in Yugoslavia. Ethnic and Racial Studies, 23 (6), 982-1001.
Zarkov, D. (2001). The body of the other man: Sexual violence and the construction of masculinity,
sexuality and ethnicity in Croatian media. In C. Moser and F. Clark (Eds.) Victims, perpetrators or
actors? Gender, armed conflict and political violence, pp. 69-82. London: Zed Books
Film option
Godine Koje Su Pojeli Lavovi (2010): A documentary by Boro Kontic about the years of war on exYugoslav territory (1991-1995) which were marked by unprofessional journalistic practices
including war agitation, propaganda and hate speech. Run time: 61 min. Accessibility: To be found.
Lesson Plan
Part 1: Review of Tito’s Yugoslavia (Week 7)
Part 2: The media’s role in ethnic conflict
Theoretical basics: People in Yugoslavia had two cognitive ethnic frames: normal and crisis. In time
of conflict, the crisis frame becomes activated. The media plays an important role in that process.
(Oberschall, 2000).
Concept 1: Patriotic Journalism
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Draw upon the Ward (Week 6) article
Discuss specific instances of how patriotic journalism manifested in Bosnia (refer to
examples from Oberschall article)
Concept 2: Propaganda
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Stay in Bosnia and discuss Taylor & Kent article:
o Two characteristics: short-term, immediate and long-term
Emphasize importance of few political leaders/local government in fostering nationalism
Example: Representations in Croatian and Serbian Daily Newspapers (see Zarkov, 2001)
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Dominant masculinity as nationalistic strategy
Invisible men-on-men sexual violence
Ethnic differences in gender representations/connotations
Part 3: Discussion and Activity
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See discussion questions
Ante Gotovina case study (outside of class activity, in class “workshop”)
Discussion Questions and Activities
Discussion Questions:
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What is the role of the government in shaping media content? How is it different from
what Tito’s time? How is it similar?
What are some other examples we discussed in class that would illustrate how patriotic
journalism and/or propaganda work during times of conflict?
What do you think are the ethical responsibilities of journalists at the time of war?
Outside of Class Activity:
Case Study: Ante Gotovina (Ahn-te Go-tow-vee-na)
You will be given a series of articles on ANGEL. For class on Friday: Read the articles and be
prepared to answer the following questions:
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What is the ICTFY?
Why was Ante Gotovina held by the ICTFY
What do we know about “Operation Storm?”
How did the Serbian’s react to the ICTFY’s decision? How did the Croatians react?
How do you think the Serbian media should cover this story? How do you think the
Croatian media should cover the story? Should they be different? Take a guess: Do
you think they covered the story differently?
We will conduct a mini group-workshop in class around the case. You will receive 8 participation
points if you come prepared to class and participate in the workshop. If you choose not to come to
class, you can earn 4 participation points by posting on the ANGEL discussion board.