The 10th International Conference on the Safety of Journalists took place in Oslo, Norway. One of the speakers at the forum was an Associate Professor of the Department of Foreign Languages and Linguodidactics at the Faculty FPSC of SumDU, Nina MALOVANA.
The international conference, dedicated to the safety of journalists covering war, conflict, and political post-election changes, was impeccably organized by one of Norway's most prominent universities, Oslo Metropolitan University (OsloMet), specifically by the research group MEKK (Media, War, and Conflicts), which operates within its Faculty of Journalism. The event focused on war journalism, conflict reporting, and peace processes. Since 2014, in collaboration with the International Organization for Journalists Rights Fritt Ord and UNESCO, this research group has hosted annual conferences that have become a significant platform for bringing practitioners, researchers, and academic organizations together.
Keynote speakers included Rebecca VINCENT, Campaign Director for «Reporters Without Borders»; Anders Graver KNUDSEN, Deputy Head of the Department of Journalism and Media Studies (OsloMet); and representatives from MEKK, Kristin Skare ORGERET, and Roy KRAVELL. The conference began with silence to honor journalists who have lost their lives worldwide, followed by a piano performance by Svein Amund SKARA featuring works by Frederic Chopin and Harald Severud.
This year, researchers from nearly 20 countries participated in the conference. Issues related to journalist safety, war, and U.S. elections were discussed by representatives from Norway, Ukraine, Turkey, India, Pakistan, Guatemala, Spain, Honduras, El Salvador, Bangladesh, Cameroon, South Africa, Ireland, Colombia, Finland, Nepal, the United States, Ethiopia, Uganda, Nigeria, Israel, Tanzania, and Palestine.
Associate Professor Nina Malovana presented her report, "The Role of Journalists During the War in Ukraine: Biased and Unbiased News." The material for the presentation was collected by bachelor's and graduate students of the Department of Journalism, with whom she teaches English. This research was selected as a winning entry in the conference's competitive report selection process, earning Nina Malovana an invitation and funding to attend the event.
The conference program featured plenary and sectional presentations and screenings of documentary and experimental films related to journalist safety worldwide.
In conclusion, it is essential to extend gratitude to OsloMet University and the MEKK research group for their support of Ukraine, Ukrainian researchers, and journalists, as well as for drawing attention to crimes against humanity committed by the Russian military.
