The media are one of our most important allies, because no matter how much the institution does for citizens, through established cases of discrimination, initiatives, recommendations, warnings, reports, strategic litigation or criminal complaints, all of it has its true impact only when it reaches the public and encourages others not to remain silent and not to endure discrimination and injustice, said Commissioner for the Protection of Equality Brankica Janković at a gathering of previous recipients of the Annual Media Award for Tolerance, which the Commissioner’s institution, together with the OSCE Mission to Serbia, will present for the tenth time this November.

The Commissioner emphasized that this award carries a message of immeasurable importance, that in Serbia there are journalists who understand the value of human rights and the fight against discrimination and who amplify the voices of those who are rarely heard. “Your role is invaluable because you convey messages, remind, question, and criticize. In doing so, you make society more accountable. It is especially important that, thanks to you, the truth cannot be easily erased, nor can others’ achievements be appropriated, which is a common practice in political life. The media serve as a support both to institutions, especially now when the importance of human rights is being challenged or relativized, and to the discriminated and disenfranchised,” Janković said.

She added that the position of the media today is difficult, pressures are numerous, and professional reporting is often measured by courage. Yet it is precisely in such times that the role of journalists becomes even more valuable. When the media open a topic, when they present facts, when they speak out, the voices of the discriminated and the disenfranchised gain space and strength. I hope you have both the courage and the strength to continue fighting for equality and a fairer society through your reporting, the Commissioner said.

At the event, a documentary film titled “Voices of Equality — Ten Years of the Tolerance Award” was screened, summarizing the past decade of the award’s existence and the experiences of award-winning journalists.

Opening remarks were delivered by Acting Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia, Carolina Hidea, and the Ambassador of Finland, the OSCE Chair, Niklas Lindqvist. During the panel “Ideas Worth Spreading,” the laureates discussed their experiences in addressing topics related to human rights, equality, and discrimination, the role of the media, and the importance of awards as motivation for continued work.