Speaker Spotlight: Insights from Dževada Garić
As part of our new Speaker Spotlight series, we present practical insights and subject-specific expertise from journalists, media professionals and experts in various fields: What struggles, dilemmas and conflicts do they encounter? And which tools, tactics or tips can they recommend to others to help them overcome these challenges?
For this latest edition, we spoke to Dževada Garić, Professor of Political Science at the Sarajevo School of Science and Technology. With her expertise in diplomacy and especially regarding intercultural communication, she advocates for diverse and underrepresented voices to be heard and highlights how language shapes our perception of the world.
During our conversation, Garić also highlights the role of journalism in matters of interfaith coexistence and emphasizes the responsibility of the media to foster understanding rather than amplify stereotypes.
Which three principles have guided you in fostering respectful intercultural dialogue?
Dževada Garić:First, dignity. Dignity recognizes every individual and community as inherently worthy of respect, including the often-overlooked voices of women. Second, historical awareness. This means understanding how memory, especially in post-conflict societies, shapes identities and sensitivities. Third, responsibility in speech. We need to use language that builds trust rather than deepens divisions.
What is the most urgent misconception about interfaith coexistence that we need to challenge today?
Dževada: A key misconception is that coexistence means mere tolerance or passive parallel living. In reality, sustainable coexistence requires active engagement, mutual recognition, and shared responsibility for the public good, especially in diverse societies like those in Europe. This also means recognizing that women are not only participants, but rather essential actors in building trust, dialogue, and social cohesion, whose contributions are often underestimated.
What role should media and journalists play in strengthening interfaith coexistence?
Media should act as responsible mediators of reality, not amplifiers of division and stereotypes. This means highlighting examples of cooperation, giving voice to diverse communities, and resisting sensationalism that frames religion primarily through conflict.
What approaches should journalists use when reporting on faith to prevent misinformation from widening social divides?
Journalists should prioritize context, accuracy, and inclusive sourcing. Reporting on religion requires understanding of internal diversity within faith communities, consulting with credible experts, giving more voice to women and avoiding generalizations that can stigmatize entire groups. For example, many Muslims, particularly Muslim women with headscarves, often feel that their voices are not sufficiently heard, while media portrayals tend to frame them negatively. Addressing this gap by including their perspectives directly can significantly improve the accuracy and fairness of reporting.
At the DW Global Media Forum, Dževada Garić will join the panel entitled "Beyond Coexistence: The Media's Role in Interfaith Dialogue" to discuss how journalists can bring the peacebuilding potential of interconfessional dialogue to the fore and examine what can be done to move beyond mere coexistence and foster genuine dialogue.
