From Sarajevo to Zagreb: A Journey of Learning, Collaboration, and Shared Heritage
By Emir Zametica, BHRT
The opportunity to visit Croatian National Television (HRT) through the EU Innovation. Media. Minds. Program’s international mobility grant was one I eagerly embraced. Beyond the professional insights I hoped to gain, this visit turned out to be a deeply meaningful experience, connecting me to shared histories and cultures between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia.
A Familiar Yet New Environment
The moment I entered HRT’s headquarters—a sprawling building constructed during the Yugoslav era—I felt an immediate sense of familiarity. The endless corridors, bustling production rooms, and even the architectural design mirrored my home station, BHRT. It was as though I had stepped into a parallel version of my professional world. This connection was deepened by the warm welcome I received from Maja Fister, the head of HRT’s Children and Youth Department, and her team. They went out of their way to make me feel at home, even dedicating part of an editorial meeting in my honor.
Insights & Reflection
The visit offered invaluable insights into HRT’s operational practices. Despite facing a budget reduction of 6% for the upcoming year, the team’s optimism and problem-solving approach were inspiring. Their reliance on external collaborators for content production—a model quite different from BHRT’s—sparked thoughts about how we might adopt similar strategies to address our own resource challenges. Observing the team’s work on the Juhuhu app, which aggregates all HRT’s children’s content, was particularly eye-opening. I realized that such a project, though ambitious, could be feasible at BHRT with the right vision and effort.
A highlight was my time in the studio, witnessing the production of both the children’s morning program and the large-scale reality show "The Voice Kids." The scale and professionalism of these productions were both humbling and motivating. While the grandeur of "The Voice Kids" was awe-inspiring, I was equally impressed by the simplicity and effectiveness of the teen drama series "Shame." Its innovative use of social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram to complement traditional broadcasting offered a fresh perspective on engaging younger audiences.
Professional Impact
The insights gained from my time at HRT have already started to influence my work. Upon returning to BHRT, I shared ideas on optimizing our YouTube channel and explored the feasibility of developing a dedicated app for children’s and youth programming. I also proposed a new series inspired by HRT’s "Meeting," focusing on how young people in Bosnia and Herzegovina navigate stereotypes. The simplicity of the format—short, impactful interviews—makes it both achievable and meaningful.
A Personal Connection
Beyond the professional benefits, this experience rekindled a sense of regional unity. Sharing stories, challenges, and successes with colleagues at HRT reminded me of the strong cultural and historical ties between our countries. The celebration of Maja Fister’s 50th birthday on my final day was a touching conclusion to the visit, reinforcing the personal bonds formed during my stay.
This mobility grant was more than a professional development opportunity; it was a journey of rediscovery, collaboration, and hope. It highlighted the importance of shared knowledge and regional cooperation in strengthening public service media. As I continue to implement the lessons learned, I am grateful for the chance to contribute to the growth and innovation of BHRT while fostering a spirit of unity and shared purpose across the Western Balkans.
Funded by the European Union, the "Innovation. Media. Minds" Program, to support Public Service Journalism in the Western Balkans, is managed by the Goethe Institut on behalf of the European Commission and in collaboration with its implementing partner DW Akademie.
The contents of this story are the sole responsibility of the grantee and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.
The opportunity to visit Croatian National Television (HRT) through the EU Innovation. Media. Minds. Program’s international mobility grant was one I eagerly embraced. Beyond the professional insights I hoped to gain, this visit turned out to be a deeply meaningful experience, connecting me to shared histories and cultures between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia.
A Familiar Yet New Environment
The moment I entered HRT’s headquarters—a sprawling building constructed during the Yugoslav era—I felt an immediate sense of familiarity. The endless corridors, bustling production rooms, and even the architectural design mirrored my home station, BHRT. It was as though I had stepped into a parallel version of my professional world. This connection was deepened by the warm welcome I received from Maja Fister, the head of HRT’s Children and Youth Department, and her team. They went out of their way to make me feel at home, even dedicating part of an editorial meeting in my honor.
Insights & Reflection
The visit offered invaluable insights into HRT’s operational practices. Despite facing a budget reduction of 6% for the upcoming year, the team’s optimism and problem-solving approach were inspiring. Their reliance on external collaborators for content production—a model quite different from BHRT’s—sparked thoughts about how we might adopt similar strategies to address our own resource challenges. Observing the team’s work on the Juhuhu app, which aggregates all HRT’s children’s content, was particularly eye-opening. I realized that such a project, though ambitious, could be feasible at BHRT with the right vision and effort.
A highlight was my time in the studio, witnessing the production of both the children’s morning program and the large-scale reality show "The Voice Kids." The scale and professionalism of these productions were both humbling and motivating. While the grandeur of "The Voice Kids" was awe-inspiring, I was equally impressed by the simplicity and effectiveness of the teen drama series "Shame." Its innovative use of social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram to complement traditional broadcasting offered a fresh perspective on engaging younger audiences.
Professional Impact
The insights gained from my time at HRT have already started to influence my work. Upon returning to BHRT, I shared ideas on optimizing our YouTube channel and explored the feasibility of developing a dedicated app for children’s and youth programming. I also proposed a new series inspired by HRT’s "Meeting," focusing on how young people in Bosnia and Herzegovina navigate stereotypes. The simplicity of the format—short, impactful interviews—makes it both achievable and meaningful.
A Personal Connection
Beyond the professional benefits, this experience rekindled a sense of regional unity. Sharing stories, challenges, and successes with colleagues at HRT reminded me of the strong cultural and historical ties between our countries. The celebration of Maja Fister’s 50th birthday on my final day was a touching conclusion to the visit, reinforcing the personal bonds formed during my stay.
This mobility grant was more than a professional development opportunity; it was a journey of rediscovery, collaboration, and hope. It highlighted the importance of shared knowledge and regional cooperation in strengthening public service media. As I continue to implement the lessons learned, I am grateful for the chance to contribute to the growth and innovation of BHRT while fostering a spirit of unity and shared purpose across the Western Balkans.
Funded by the European Union, the "Innovation. Media. Minds" Program, to support Public Service Journalism in the Western Balkans, is managed by the Goethe Institut on behalf of the European Commission and in collaboration with its implementing partner DW Akademie.
The contents of this story are the sole responsibility of the grantee and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.