The Council of Europe, in cooperation with the Journalists Association of Serbia (JAS), has developed a new Guide for Gender Sensitive Reporting to support young journalists in applying ethical and professional standards that promote gender equality in the media. The Guide was developed to support the educational programme of the JAS  School of Journalism in Serbia, aiming to strengthen the understanding of gender-responsive journalism among future media professionals.

Gender-sensitive reporting is an indispensable part of responsible journalism in modern society. The media play a crucial role in shaping public opinion, norms and values, and the way women, men and gender-diverse persons are portrayed in the media directly affects perceptions of equality in society.

Through three thematic units, the European regulatory framework, domestic legislation, and ethical guidelines, the Guide offers a practical overview of key standards and recommendations related to gender equality and media reporting. It highlights the role of journalists in countering stereotypes and prejudices, as well as the importance of self-regulation and adherence to the ethical codes of the profession.

By supporting initiatives such as this, the Council of Europe contributes to the promotion of equality, diversity and ethical journalism, in line with its broader work on freedom of expression and gender mainstreaming in the media sector.

The Guide was developed under the action “Protecting freedom of expression and of the media in Serbia (PROFREX)”, implemented by the Division for Co-operation on Freedom of Expression, under the joint European Union and the Council of Europe programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”.

Guide on Gender Sensitive Reporting in English.

Guide on Gender Sensitive Reporting in Serbian.