SARAJEVO, 05.06.2018. – U Sarajevu se predstavljeni rezultati istraživanja ‘Nevidljivo nasilje: Priče iz redakcije’, koje je provedeno u Bosni i Hercegovini, Srbiji, Crnoj Gori, Makedoniji i na Kosovu. Novinari u ovim zemljama svoj posao obavljaju u uvjetima nesigurnosti, diskriminacije, cenzure i otvorenih pritisaka, koji rezultiraju autocenzurom – neki su od zaključaka ovog istraživanja.

Istraživanje je provedeno zahvaljujući intervjuima sa 50 novinara zaposlenih u javnim, komercijalnim i neprofitnim medijima, od siječnja do svibnja 2018. godine. Većina novinara koji su pristali odgovarati na pitanja zatražila je da budu anonimni, što dovoljno govori o tome koliko se suočavaju sa strahom prilikom obavljanja svog posla.

„Uglavnom su nam govorili da je situacija ista u svim zemljama – plate, sa kojima nisu zadovoljni, ili nemaju stalni ugovor, ili su honorarci. Samim tim se onda ne poštuju do kraja sva ona njihova prava koja su zakonom propisana. Uz to, meni je zanimljivo bilo to da je u Crnoj Gori, na pitanje kako bi ocijenili slobodu u procesu izvještavanja, od 1 do 5, većina novinara rekla 3 ili 4. Bilo je dosta primjera ljudi koji su govorili da imaju jako dobar odnos sa urednicima i da taj interni pritisak i pritisak raznih interesnih grupa oglašivača nije direktno na njih, nego da to nekako dođe indirektno, preko menadžmenta ili urednika. Mi smo razgovarali i sa novinarima, ne samo u redakcijama koje pokrivaju neke nacionalne teme, to su bili lokalni i javni emiteri, to su bili i privatni javni neprofitni mediji“, rekla je Milica Bogdanović, novinarka iz Crne Gore.

Posebno je zabrinjavajući financijski polažaj novinara, kaže Biljana Sekulovska, novinarka iz Makedonije.

„Plaće su od sto eura, pazite, od sto eura, do trista eura, sa nikakvim pravima. To su honorari, nisu prijavljeni. Novinari su svjesni toga, ali se boje da će izgubiti svoj posao i zato su prinuđeni da ćute. Ali, mlađi novinari su insistirali da pričaju, sa imenom i prezimenom. Ja mislim da je progresivna snaga u Makedoniji u mladosti“, kaže Sekulovska.

Sa sličnim problemima suočavaju se novinari i drugih zemalja Zapadnog Balkana. Una Hajdari, slobodna novinarka govori o situaciji na Kosovu:

„Što se tiče slobode izražavanja, mislim da je to donekle OK na Kosovu, posebno zbog toga što je posljednjih godina stvorena atmosfera da je dozvoljeno da se kritikuju i najviši političari, političari s najvišim pozicijama u zemlji, ne naravno na javnom servisu, ali u svim drugim medijima, a da ne dolazi do nekih reperkusija za novinare.“

U Bosni i Hercegovini zabrinjavajuće je to što je sve manje medija koji nisu pod utjecajem političkih struktura, kaže novinarka Nidžara Ahmetašević.

„Mislim da je vrijeme da se ozbiljno zabrinemo i da ozbiljno počnemo raditi na nečemu što će promijeniti novinarstvo. Ta promjena sigurno neće doći izvana, ta promjena neće doći sa stranim donacijama – kako je pokušano prije dvadeset i više godina, ta promjena naprosto mora doći iz nekog drugog pravca. I to nije promjena koju će donijeti novac, to je promjena koju će donijeti drugi način razmišljanja i hrabriji novinari, bolje obrazovani i bolja škola novinarstva, koju mi, nažalost, nemamo“, smatra Ahmetašević.

Problemi s kojima se suočavaju sve zemlje jesu i slabi sindikati, nedovoljno fokusirana novinarska udruženja i generalno nezadovoljstvo zbog situacije u kojem se novinarstvo nalazi.

PODGORICA, 04.06.2018. – An analysis of the Council of Europe experts which “scanned” the media scene in Montenegro dealt also with the situation in local public broadcasters (LPB), finding a very bad situation and the bad way they are being financed. All 14 local public radio stations and three local TV/radio public media have in common that they are all financed by their municipalities.

The document concludes that it is difficult to make a detailed analysis of the autonomy and independence of LPB because this topic isn’t usually represented in the existing literature. Nevertheless, the high dependence of these media from the local political authorities was noted and generally they’ve been characterized as very politicized and loyal to the ruling party.

Analysis with the recommendations for harmonization with the standards of the Council of Europe and the European Union was done by Tanja Kerševan-Smokvina (editor), Jean-François Furnémont, Marc Janssen, Dunja Mijatović, Jelena Surčulija-Milojević and Snežana Trpevska.

The authors also recall that in addition to the financial mechanisms, legal protection measures should be established to guarantee the editorial independence of the LPB. In this respect, the specific position of the LPB regarding the media pluralism and concentration is emphasized. Namely, local broadcasters are currently exclusively public broadcasters, who benefit from the de facto monopoly. Their editorial independence is under constant threat of political pressure, and local broadcasters are often portrayed as the voice of local politicians who misuse their significance in terms of funding in order to create editorial policy.

In order to prevent the influence of the founders, amendments that were recommended are almost entirely in line with the propositions of the Trade Union of Media of Montenegro from December 2017, regarding the changes of the Law on Electronic Media and enabling more stable financing of the LPB. It was recommended that the Electronic Media Law should be amended in order to provide sufficient guarantees for the institutional autonomy of regional and local public broadcasters. It is also suggested that the LPB must follow the procedure as well as RTCG before concluding contracts with municipalities as its founders. In order to ensure the autonomy of the local self-government, the amount of financial resources for the LPB shouldn’t be determined by law and there is already a need to introduce into the Law on Electronic Media a provision obliging the municipalities to determine in the founding acts (statutes) the minimum percentage for service obligations that should be provided by local public broadcasters.

The founding documents aren’t yet in line with the new provisions of the Law on Electronic Media, and only a few LPB have started to work on their Proposals of Program Obligations. Some of them are in a very difficult financial situation due to unpaid debt towards the Tax Administration. Namely, due to insecure financing from the municipal budgets, most of the LPB were unable to pay contributions for the gross salaries of employees.

The conclusion is that local public broadcasters should follow the transition of RTCG from the state media into a public service. So the composition of their Councils should truly be pluralistic and reflect the difference of opinion. It is also recommended that although the Council should continue to be responsible for monitoring the day-to-day business and for identifying priorities and reforms, RTCG and the LPB should be accountable to an independent media body and this body should regulate them. It is necessary to establish and effectively implement all measures of independence of the editorial office. And financial resources should guarantee predictability and transparency for RTCG and LPB and shouldn’t be used as a means of pressure, reward or subordination.

ZAGREB, 01.06.2018. – In January 2018 an international delegation of press freedom organization representatives visited Zagreb for the second time in two years to observe the state of media freedom in Croatia. Now, the report is out, and these are the recommendations.

After a joint mission of media freedom organisations in June 2016 produced particularly bad results (please find here the report), a new delegation, consisting of representatives of the South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), the Association of European Journalists (AEJ), the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF), the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), and Reporters without Borders (RSF), did find a more positive situation at the beginning of 2018.

First of all, Croatia has a new government since the last mission visit, and the new conservative–liberal (HDZ–HNS) coalition at least has media freedom as a matter of utmost importance for a Member State of the European Union on its agenda. Political figures are taking a clear stand against endangering journalists’ lives. In 2017, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and the Parliament Media Committee condemned attacks and threats against journalists. Since 2017, if journalists are attacked or threatened, police is reacting faster than before. Altogether, there are less physical attacks on journalists, however, attacks and threats, especially online threats, are still a big problem. As is the destructive influence of hate speech on society, which has actually increased since 2016.

That said, compared to last year, Croatia climbed five places in the 2018 World Press Freedom Index, from 74 to 69. The delegation praises all improvements but also states that Croatia still has a long way to go.

These are the recommendations: 

• authorities must conduct comprehensive investigations into all unsolved cases of physical attacks on journalists that happened in the past

• politicians, journalists and public figures must refrain from participating in, supporting or being perceived as supporters of smear campaigns or hateful rhetoric against journalists and the media. Politicians must condemn such campaigns and rhetoric when they occur

• political parties of all stripes must refrain from interfering with the editorial policy of the public broadcaster HRT

• both, management and employees at HRT should establish a more interactive way of communications

• lawmakers must include HRT’s own journalists in debates on a new HRT law and must increase the role of those journalists, civil society and consumers in the selection of HRT’s management.

• the matter of hate speech and fake news must be taken more seriously, more comprehensive and more pro-active. The initiative of a regulation – although announced, should not wait for an EU regulation. The regulation cannot be a threat against press freedom and freedom of speech

• the Croatian Parliament must fully repeal Article 148 of the Criminal Code on ‘shaming’, and should also repeal Arts. 147, 149, 349 and 356.

• the government must reform the legislation governing HRT so as to guarantee the station’s independence. Notably, this process should include changing the method of appointing the HRT director general and other HRT governing structures in line with European standards on public broadcasting.

• legal provisions providing for transparency of media ownership must be updated to ensure a sufficient framework for monitoring and compliance

• HRT management and journalists should act in the long-term best interest of the broadcaster and show solidarity in rejecting interference by political parties of all stripes

• HRT should consider the creation of an internal council to serve as a watchdog over HRT’s independence. Journalist organisations (associations and unions) should refrain from political activism and should uphold standards of professionalism and collegiality in their public activities

• the Electronic Media Council should be more active in cases where electronic media are not respecting professional standards, especially in cases of use of hate language in local media (local TV channels)

• the preparation of a media strategy for Croatia with active work and feedbacks from all media players

Please find here the full report.

BORAČKO JEZERO, 01.06.2018. – Reporting on diversity, transitional human rights in media, ethical standards, and media contribution to dealing with the past and building a culture of memory are just some of the thematic units that participants will listen to and discuss at the Journalism Academy 2018 held at Boracko Lake.

The Journalism Academy 2018 is dedicated to the theme “The Role of Media and Media Reporting in Strengthening Peace, Tolerance and Stability in BiH”. The workshop is being held in two modules and will gather 40 participants,  students from the Department of Journalism at the University of BiH, as well as young journalists and journalists from BH. media houses.

Speakers at the Journalism Academy are representatives of the academic community, experts in transitional justice, media professionals, representatives of the Regulatory Agency for Communications and the Press Council and online media in BiH, as well as civil society activists.

During the five days of the workshop, the participants will, among other things, learn and discuss the standards of fair, balanced and objective reporting on sensitive issues related to war, crimes, persecutions and other forms of human rights violations. Besides, through practical exercises and professional mentoring, participants will analyze media content, get acquainted with the process of documenting war crimes for the purpose of publishing in  media, and will also feature thematic documentaries.

The summer educational camp, that BHJA organizes since 2013, is being held with the financial support of The US Embassy in BiH in the period from May 31 to July 8, 2018.

SARAJEVO, 29.05.2018. – As highlighted at the workshop on mechanisms for protection of media professionals that was held today in Banja Luka, more effective protection of rights and freedoms of journalists is possible through application of ethical and professional standards in their work, as well as strengthening solidarity, dialogue and self-criticism within the professional community.

„There is no right without a certain responsibility. If we exercise the right to freedom of expression then we must be prepared to respect all the articles and provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)“, said the General Secretary of BH Journalists Associatio Borka Rudić. She also emphasized that the Convention predicts certain limitations.

„These are formal limitations that must have a legitimate interest and legal justification, and at the same time decisions by institutions on restricting freedom of expression must be made in a transparent manner, “said Rudić.

Executive director of Press Council in BiH Ljiljana Zurovac emphasized that the journalistic duty is to respect the needs of citizens for useful, timely and relevant information, as well as defending the principle of freedom of information.“Journalists often forget that by violating professional principles they are responsible for the actions of people who follow inaccurate and unreliable information”, said Zurovac.

Journalists from the Banja Luka redactions pointed out as the main obstacles in their work, among other things, access to information, media and marketing censorship, the emergence of self-censorship and the lack of understanding of the satire genre.

The Workshop presented the current guidelines of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) for the police in dealing with the media and guidelines for the media in dealing with the police.

The workshop on mechanisms for the protection of journalists and other media professionals was organized by the OSCE Mission to BiH, in cooperation with the BH Journalists Association and the Press Council in BiH. The workshop gathered 20 journalists and journalists from Banja Luka.