The Covering Midterms: Journalist Training Program is a specialized training initiative designed to strengthen the quality, depth, and professionalism of media reporting on U.S. elections in Serbia. Developed by the Center for Social Dialogue and Regional Initiatives – CSDRI, the program responds to long-standing challenges in local coverage of American politics, which is often marked by superficiality, sensationalism, and limited contextual understanding.

Through a combination of expert-led lectures, interactive workshops, online sessions, and ongoing mentorship, the program equips selected journalists with the knowledge and tools needed to report on U.S. midterm elections with greater accuracy and insight. Participants will explore key aspects of the U.S. political and electoral system, major issues shaping the 2026 midterm elections such as the economy, migration, and foreign policy and the broader implications of electoral outcomes for global politics and Serbia.

The program brings together 10–12 journalists from leading Serbian media outlets, creating a focused and collaborative learning environment while also fostering a network of professionals specializing in U.S. politics. In addition to in-person sessions at the ARC, participants will engage in practical exercises, develop their own journalistic outputs, and receive expert feedback throughout the process.

By combining capacity-building with hands-on practice, the program aims not only to improve individual reporting skills, but also to contribute to more informed public discourse. Strengthening journalists’ understanding of U.S. politics ultimately supports more balanced, evidence-based reporting and helps address widespread misconceptions about the United States.

If you would like to attend the course, please submit your CV or send a motivational letter.

Program will be in Serbian.