This independent report looks at how the mainstream media cover the Balkan wars. To counteract the inaccurate and simplistic reporting that pervades the mainstream television networks' programming and the print, this report attempts to explain the history of the region and the rise of nationalism that led to current wars. The program features examples of inaccurate TV reporting and stereotypical phrases (e.g. "ancient hatreds, ethnic rivalries frozen in time that threaten to ignite," "irresolvable, irreconcilable differences") that the media use to describe the perplexing events in the Balkans. The propaganda war is also discussed. Croatian policy against minorities discussed.
Participants: Laura Flanders of the Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting (spent a long time covering Northern Ireland); Marina Komarecki, U.S. correspondent, "B92" Radio, opposition radio in Belgrade; Ivo Skoric, U.S. correspondent, Arkzin, the art/newspaper for the anti-war campaign in Croatia (August 25, 1992); Bill Weinberg, journalist and member of Balkan War Resource Group; and representatives of the Center for Anti-war Action in Belgrade, Serbia and Antiwar Campaign Council from Zagreb, Croatia.