SNAKLAB Regensburg Southeastern Europe Research Seminars

Dr Danica Trifunjagić (Institute of History, TU Darmstadt) will give a talk on…

“Beograd je (opet) svet: Protests in 1996/1997 and 2024/2026 between Students’ Claims and Media Frames”

Time: 4-6 pm

Venue: IOS, R 017, Landshuter Straße 4, 93047 Regensburg

Abstract:

This talk looks at how Serbian media covered student protests in two different moments—1996/1997 and 2024/2026—and how that coverage shaped public perception and political discourse. In 1996/1997, student protests were an expression of discontent against the authoritarian regime of Slobodan Milošević, following the annulment of local elections results. Fast-forward to 2024/2026: student protests have emerged in response to the collapse of the canopy at the newly renovated train station in Novi Sad. The media’s portrayal of the protests in both periods is complex, with state-controlled outlets often framing student movements as subversive, while independent newspapers presented them as a legitimate democratic force. The analysis provides insights into how media narratives shape the public’s understanding of student activism, revealing the continuities and shifts in how student protests are portrayed across different periods.

Snacken with Balkans Snacks