Home Blog Page 389

European Commission: Media in Serbia under constant pressure from the authorities

0

BELGRADE, 24.10.2017. – In its report for European Commission, the expert mission for the protection of journalists in the Criminal Code (TAIEX), states that the Serbian media is under constant pressure from the authorities.

“Because of the government’s control over televisions and radio stations, online media are becoming very important sources of news, but the problem is that those media are under constant pressure from the government and local authorities,” a report in which Beta agency had an insight, concludes.

“Sources of independent and impartial information are scarce and it is difficult for them to stand out in an extremely fragmented media market”, the report states.

TAIEX also quoted data obtained from the journalists’ associations from Serbia that continue to record physical attacks and verbal threats against journalists.

“Many cases of obstruction of journalistic work, such as denied access to press conferences, denied access to information of public importance, hiding information on public activities of local politicians were recorded”, the report said.

It is also states that journalists’ associations expressed concern about the lack of functionality of the mechanism of co-operation established between journalists’ associations, the prosecutor’s office and the police, highlighting the fact that numerous threats and physical attacks on journalists have not been resolved.

TAIEX has recommended to the Ministry of Culture and Information to organize projects and campaigns at the national level in order to raise public awareness on the importance of media freedom, media pluralism and safe working conditions for journalists.

The report also states that the media market in Serbia is probably the most fragmented in Europe considering the number of country’s inhabitants. At the end of 2016 1,788 media were registered in Serbia.

“Due to large number of media and the economic crisis, as well as the total advertising budget of 160 million euros, majority of media are not self-sustaining,” the report said.

It is also stated that “the additional problem is the fact that out of 191 calls for the co-financing of media projects of public interest, in 132 some kind of irregularities were identified”.

 

Women who survived violence experienced all stages of violence

0

BIJELJINA, 21.10.2017. – “Journalists writing about the topic of gender-based violence must be familiar with the concept of the cycle of violence, because survivors of violence have most often gone through all of its stages, including threats, manipulation of children, emotional, economic and sexual abuse, isolation, intimidation and physical violence” , said Radmila Žigić from the Foundation “Lara” at the workshop “Reporting on the topic of gender-based violence”, which was held today in Bijeljina.

The one-day training focused on the institutional and legal context that addresses gender-based violence, as well as ethical and professional journalistic approach to reporting on violence against women and girls.

Ljiljana Zurovac i Milkica Milojević

Journalist and activist Milkica Milojević assessed media reporting treat violence against women and girls as a social problem. “Professionally reporting on the problem of gender-based violence means avoiding stereotypes, prejudices and clichés.” said Milojević.

Executive Director of Press Council, Ljiljana Zurovac, presenting the media forms for the topic of gender-based violence, said that in a large number of media reports there is total excess and distortion of privacy, with the goal of higher sales. “Media content on the subject of gender-based violence is mostly, unfortunately, only published when the tragedy results of long-standing harassment come about. There are few educational facilities that talk about the prevention of violence or legal sanctions, “said Zurovac.

The One-day training for journalists, editors and bloggers,that gathered participants from media outlets and NGOs from Bijeljina, Brcko and Tuzla, as well as representatives of the police administration of Bijeljina, was held within the project “Turn Off Violence – Media against Violence against Women “, which is realized by the Association of BH Journalists with the support of the UN Women’s Office in BiH and the Swedish International Development and Cooperation Agency (Sida).

The testimony of a person who survived violence as the only evidence in court

0

BRČKO, 20.10.2017. – How to prepare for a journalistic interview with a person who survived violence, to reject prejudices and to avoid an emotional and unprofessional approach, and what are the problems in court proceedings in cases of gender-based violence were some of the issues discussed at today’s workshop “Reporting on the theme of gender-based violence “that was held in Brčko.

Ljiljana Zurovac, Executive Director of the Press Council, spoke about the journalistic approach to reporting on the topic of gender-based violence, in particular on the preparation for a journalist interview with women or girls who survived violence.

“Talking to a person who has survived violence requires a tailored journalistic approach, different from the approach used with others. It is not easy to work with the victims of violence because the interview can lead journalists in an unfortunate situation, “explains Zurovac, adding that it is important for the journalist to remain neutral, reject all prejudices and be able to make a report, and at the same time deal with the topic means not to give up emotional states or to ignore journalistic issues. ”

Gorica Ivić, Fondacija “Udružene žene”

Gorica Ivić from the “United Women” Foundation in Banja Luka pointed out the problem that arises in court proceedings, in which the woman who survived the violence with her testimony is the only evidence in cases of gender-based violence. “The police do not collect evidence because it involves special investigative actions. The moment a woman gives up her testimony – the case no longer exists, “Ivic said. “United Women” in Brcko work on the creation and adoption of the Protocol on Mutual Cooperation with the aim of preventing and protecting against violence.

 

One-day training for journalists, editors and bloggers gathered participants and participants from media outlets and non-governmental organizations from Brcko Srebrenik, Banja Luka and Doboj, as well as representatives of the Brcko District Government and Police.

Local communities insufficiently committed to gender-based violence as a social problem

0

SREBRENICA, 19.10.2017. – How to report on gender-based violence and what is the role of police, prosecutors and social work centers in local communities when addressing this social problem are some of the issues that were discussed at today’s workshop “Reporting on the topic of gender-based violence” held in Srebrenica.

“Non-governmental organizations engaged in fighting against domestic violence and gender-based violence play a key role in advocating the legal sanctioning of such violence,” said journalist and activist Milkica Milojević

Ljiljana Zurovac, Executive Director of the Press Council, talked about journalistic ethics when reporting on gender-based violence.

“The media report on women mostly when it comes to violence and scandals,” Zurovac said and noted that very rarely texts or shows about prevention of violence, educational TV reports and texts on methods of protection against violence. “For better reporting on the problem of violence, journalists must be familiar with the laws and the levels of prescribed penalties,” added Zurovac.

Stanojka Tešić, Forum žena Bratunac

SStanojka Tesic from the Bratunac Women’s Forum, speaking as guest lecturer, pointed out the problem of “lack of public funds, the purpose of which would be prevention and assistance in cases of gender-based violence”.

One-day training for journalists, editors and bloggers gathered participants and participants from media outlets and non-governmental organizations from Srebrenica, Bratunac, Kalesija, Milići and Vlasenica, as well as representatives of the Center for Social Work in Srebrenica.

AJK starts monitoring court trials related to threatened journalists

0

PRISTINA, 23.10.2017 – The Association of Kosovo Journalists monitored on Monday the trial between former journalist Liridon Llapashtica and a former official of the Ministry of Trade and Industry on the criminal case of threat.

On February 2014, Liridon Llapashtica, at that time journalist with Pristina daily “Zeri” received verbal threats from the official related to an article. The journalist received threats through telephone.

During today’s hearing, the final statements were provided by the prosecutor of the case, Menduhi Kastrati, and the defendant. The final verdict will be brought on October 26th, 2017.

Moreover, AJK encourages all journalists that are involved in disputes, and those are linked to their professional work, may inform the Association so that this organization can monitor and report on these court proceedings.

We consider that the monitoring and reporting of court cases by AJK, which includes media and journalists, would have an impact on increasing transparency and accountability by law enforcement institutions in the country, and will contribute to the security situation of journalists and their working conditions.

PERSPEKTIVE DIPLOMIRANIH ŽURNALISTA: Stvarnost nam je crno-bijela, a budućnost siva

0

SARAJEVO, 23.10.2017.-Izbor profesije jedan je od velikih koraka u životu svake mlade osobe. Ali čime se vode mladi kada biraju ono čime će se baviti? Da li prije nego upišu fakultet istraže koliko ima svršenika tog fakulteta na birou i kolika je stvarna potražnja za tim pozivom na bosanskohercegovačkom tržištu rada?

Služba za zapošljavanje Kantona Sarajevo obavještava nas da se na evidenciji JU “Služba za zapošljavanje Kantona Sarajevo” trenutno nalaze 342 diplomirana novinara, 99 diplomiranih komunikologa i devet lektora.

“Prema podacima našeg Sektora za posredovanje i evidencije, bosanskohercegovački mediji veoma rijetko traže našu pomoć vezano za zapošljavanje diplomiranih žurnalista. Oglase za zapošljavanje ili volontiranje uglavnom objavljuju putem svojih javnih emitera i portala.”

Konobarska perspektiva

Kakva je perspektiva diplomiranih žurnalista ako osoba koja završi žurnalistiku mora stati u red kao 450. osoba u redu za zapošljavanje? I pored toga, iskustva naših sagovornika svjedoče o lošim praksama, honorarima koji kasne po pola godine i neplaćenom radu. Da li su i studenti žurnalistike mladi od kojih možemo očekivati odlazak iz Bosne i Hercegovine u potrazi za nekim sretnijim i boljim prilikama? Čini se da je ovdje ključno postaviti pitanje hiperprodukcije kadra, ne samo vezano za studije žurnalistike i komunikologije već i za mnoge druge poslije kojih su glavne perspektive konobarisanje i odlazak iz zemlje. Zbog čega plaćamo profesore, grijanje zgrada, kopiranje materijala, asistente, higijeničarke, upravu i hiljade drugih stvari potrebnih za održavanje obrazovnog sistema ako od toga niko nema koristi – ni studenti koji se godinama muče da polože neke ispite, ni država kojoj novinari očigledno nisu potrebni?

Haris Parabuča, student žurnalistike u Sarajevu, kaže da se mladim novinarima nakon završetka studija nude neplaćene prakse u medijskim kućama koje očekuju da njihovu praksu smatrate privilegijom.

“U posljednje vrijeme sam vidio dosta oglasa za posao u kojima se traže minimalno dvije godine iskustva, što osoba sa friško isprintanom diplomom sigurno nema. Nedovoljno plaćene prakse u online medijima su već jedan od modernih trendova gdje urednik očekuje od vas da napišete minimalno pet članaka dnevno ili da jednostavno kopirate tekst drugog portala i objavite ga na njihov. Takva vrsta prakse neće pomoći mladom novinaru da stekne bilo kakvo iskustvo. Jedan od dobrih primjera jeste N1 koja svake godine nudi praksu studentima završne godine te one najbolje zaposli, ali ipak je to samo jedan od medija, što svakako nije dovoljno.”

Slično razmišlja i magistrica komunikologije Fakulteta političkih nauka u Sarajevu: “Bosanskohercegovačko medijsko tržište ne nudi mnogo diplomiranim komunikolozima. Problem kreće od studija na kojem ne naučimo dovoljno da bismo poslije bili spremni za rad. Onima koji završe komunikologiju, najveći problem na bh. tržištu predstavlja traženje godina iskustva, koje mi nemamo, jer ovo medijsko tržište ne nudi mnogo opcija u vezi sa učenjem vještina i stjecanjem praktičnog znanja iz područja komunikologije. Velike redakcije rijetko ili nikako ne primaju ni volontere niti pripravnike. S druge strane, trebalo bi da provodimo nekoliko godina upravo volontirajući, uglavnom slabo plaćeno ili nikako plaćeno, da bismo bili spremni da se javimo na neki od konkursa za posao. Dakle, to je zatvoreni krug. Diplomirani komunikolozi ne odgovaraju dobro na zahtjeve bh. medijskog tržišta zbog manjka ili znanja ili prakse, kako su to i neke medijske kuće potvrdile. Zbog takvog grča u odnosu između tržišta i nas, novinara, uglavnom radimo poslove koji nisu u vezi sa strukom.”

Rad, red i disciplina

Uprkos svim nedaćama na bosanskohercegovačkom tržištu rada, uvijek postoje oni koji se i u ovakvim uslovima trude da iskoriste svaku priliku i da se pripreme za uslove koji ih čekaju po završetku studija. Milan Ilić, student na Katedri za novinarstvo Filozofskog fakulteta na Palama, shvata kakva je perspektiva diplomiranih žurnalista i zbog toga se za vrijeme studija trudi da se kroz različite prakse usavrši kako bi bio konkurentan na tržištu rada. Problem diplomiranih žurnalista ne vidi samo u sistemu već i u njihovoj spremnosti za rad i usavršavanje. “Perspektiva je, po mom mišljenju, dobra, jer ima dosta mogućnosti koje se pružaju mladima, bilo kroz praksu ili kroz rad. Problem je druge vrste: mladi su previše pasivni. Već je isfurana fraza sa pasivnošću, ali je to realnost. Diplomirani novinari tek kreću da traže posao nakon fakulteta, što je greška jer se treba krenuti od starta. Diploma je samo papir. Iskustvo je bitnije, a to je kod mladih najveći problem. Ne treba da se čeka na zaposlenje, već da grizeš i tražiš ga sam. Ništa ne pada sa neba. Naprimjer, samo na platformi Hocu.ba ima preko 10 poslova na sedmičnom nivou. Svaku priliku treba iskoristiti.”

Prilika za volontiranje i usavršavanje svakako ima, i oni koji su uporni mogu ih pronaći, ali jedno od osnovnih pitanja u svakoj struci, a u današnjoj bosanskohercegovačkoj zbilji i ponajvažnije, jeste upravo pitanje plaćenosti nekog poziva. Upravo zbog toga što sebi radom u struci ne mogu obezbijediti osnovna primanja, novinari sve češće odustaju od svog poziva i materijalnu sigurnost traže na drugom mjestu. Nefa Mervan je žurnalistiku diplomirala u Tuzli 2011. godine i od posla svojih snova odustala je iz finansijskih razloga. “Žurnalisti u BiH imaju dvije opcije: jedna je da rade šta vole i preživljavaju od mizerne plaće, a druga je da batale žurnalistiku i zarade novac za normalan život. Žurnalisti su nedovoljno plaćeni za posao koji obavljaju, nebitno u kojem mediju rade. Zaista je sramotno da je plaća novinara ispod prosječne u našoj državi. Ja sam diplomirala žurnalistiku 2011. i radila sam tri godine u svojoj branši – stid me reći za koji novac. Danas više ne radim ono za šta sam se školovala, što mi je žao, ali nemam izbora, kao i većina kolega. Ukratko, perspektiva žurnalista u BiH i ne postoji, nažalost.”

Na kraju, postavlja se i pitanje odgovornosti. U Bosni i Hercegovini niko nizašta nije odgovoran i svaki dan prihvatamo zatečeno stanje kao da tako mora biti. Da li odgovorni mogu biti srednjoškolci koji su pratili svoj talenat i nadali se da će za nekoliko godina kada završe studij raditi ono što vole? Svakako da najveća odgovornost leži na vlasti, koja zarađuje na svojim građanima, njihovim školarinama plaća profesore i sve druge državne službenike koji je preko dvadeset godina dižu iz mrtvih. U Bosni i Hercegovini studenti su postali ovce za šišanje, a pošto im se uzmu pare za slabo znanje, loše uvjete studiranja i maltretiranje, onda ih se pusti na tržište rada, gdje se, u nedostatku prakse i znanja, ne mogu snaći.

Osnovni instrument ovakvog sistema su fakulteti koji svake godine raspisuju konkurse bez obzira na hiperprodukciju kadra. Ti fakulteti nisu ni u kakvom dosluhu sa Službom za zapošljavanje, a primit će onoliko studenata koliko mogu da bi pokrili svoje finansijske troškove. Zbog toga bosanskohercegovačka medijska scena uglavnom se svodi na preživljavanje. Time se može objasniti i loš kvalitet medijskog sadržaja: u borbi za zaradom, kvalitet i sloboda govora postaju preskupe igračke.

Izvor: Analiziraj.ba 

Increasing AEM’s power would lead to better control of political advertising

0

PODGORICA, 26/10/2017 – Increasing the powers of the Agency for Electronic Media (AEM) which would enable to impose sanctions on any breach of the media coverage standards, in a range from an immediate publicising of corrections of inaccuracies or false reporting in media where it occurred, to penalty fees and up to temporary revocation of broadcasting licence, is one of the main recommendations from the OEBS’s Comparative Study: Political advertising and media campaign during the pre-election period.

Political advertising is defined as advertising whose central focus is the marketing of ideas, attitudes, and concerns about public issues, including political concepts and political candidates. The essential task of political advertising is to gain the confidence of the people for their acceptance of ideas and, in the case of political campaign advertising, to influence their vote. What differs political advertising from commercial is the fact that the product is either a person or a set of values not goods and services.

The study was developed in the frame of the project Support to Media Institutions, Information Pluralism, Freedom of Media and Safety of Journalists in Montenegro with aim to assist the AEM in improving the quality of the media legal framework regulating political advertising.

The document states that Election law provides general requirements for the coverage of the election campaign in the media, focusing mainly on the allocation of free airtime. The Electronic Media Law does not specifically regulate election campaign coverage, but provides for general standards of programme content and paid advertisements. In addition, the rulebook of the Agency for Electronic Media (AEM) required news to be presented objectively, accurately and in an impartial manner.

Also it is stated that private broadcasters largely disregarded the legal requirement to adopt and adhere to internal rulebook on campaign coverage based on the principle of equality and that no sanctions were applied for non-compliance.

“Inaccurate or biased reporting is the problem that encompasses the whole media sector in Montenegro, not only the Public Service Media (PSM). Acknowledging the special importance of the PSM in informing the general public, as well the fact that the present PSM self-regulatory mechanisms and internal rulebook do not provide for clear and unambiguous guidelines for covering electoral processes and campaign, a more comprehensive PSM editorial/election guidelines and editorial guidance should be drafted“, states the document.

Political parties are institutions of central importance to electoral democracy. The actions of political parties, their leaders, elected representatives, candidates, constituency associations, paid staff and volunteer members make a significant contribution to the integrity of democracy and democratic institutions, not only in the electoral arena but more broadly within the wider parliamentary and political processes. Therefore in the document it was recommended that political parties should consider adoption of code of conduct during an election campaign.

The study in English is available here.

RTV 21 crew obstructed during local elections coverage in Obiliq town

0

PRISTINA, 22.10.2017 – The Association of Journalists of Kosovo was informed by the Radiotelevision 21 reporter that she and the cameraman were obstructed by officials in a polling station in Obiliq. The journalist, Fitore Ademi told AJK that the TV crew was not allowed inside the polling station, receiving verbal threats by officials who are responsible for election process.

“At the largest polling station in “Ibrahim Rugova” school in Obiliq, the RTV21 team was prevented from covering the electoral process. We don’t know if the leaders of this centre have attended CEC (Central Election Commission) trainings or wanted to hide something from our camera, but our request to responsible authorities is to investigate this case, “said Ademi.

Referring to this case, AJK condemns the action of the manager, the head of this polling station as well as the bad language used against colleagues Fitore Ademi and cameraman Sahit Kokolli.

AJK asks all polling station leaders not to obstruct journalists from carrying out their work and to comply with applicable laws.

Also, AJK asks from all colleagues to report if they face any obstacles during the work and report it to Association of Journalists of Kosovo, police as well as prosecution that all are engaged during today’s local elections.

Kosovo held its local elections on 22nd of October, 2017.

Evropskoj komisiji: Mediji u Srbiji pod stalnim pritiskom vlasti

0

BEOGRAD, 22.10.2017. – Ekspertska misija za zaštitu novinara u Krivičnom zakonu (TAIEX), koja deluje pri Evropskoj komisiji, ocenila je u izveštaju za Srbiju da su mediji pod stalnim pritiskom vlasti.

“Zbog kontrole koju vlada ima nad televizijama i radijskim stanicama, onlajn mediji postaju veoma važni izvori vesti, ali je problem u tome što su ti mediji pod stalnim pritiskom vlade i lokalnih vlasti”, navodi se u izveštaju u koji je agencija Beta imala uvid.

“Izvori nezavisnih i nepristrasnih informacija su malobrojni i njima je veoma teško da opstanu u ekstremno fragmentiranom medijskom tržištu”, navodi se u tom izveštaju.

TAIEX je naveo i podatke novinarskih udruženja iz Srbije, po kojima se i dalje beleže fizički napadi i verbalne pretnje novinarima.

“Zabeleženi su i mnogi slučajevi ometanja rada novinara, kao što su zabrane prisustva konferencijama za novinare, ometanje prava na pristup informacijama od javnog značaja, skrivanje informacija o javnim aktivnostima lokalnih političara”, piše u izveštaju.

Navodi se i da su novinarska udruženja izrazila zabrinutost zbog nefunkcionisanja mehanizma saradnje koji je uspostavljen izmedju tih udruženja, tužilaštva i policije, o čemu svedoči činjenica da nisu razrešene brojne pretnje i fizički napadi na novinare.

TAIEX je preporučio Ministarstvu kulture i informisanja da organizuje projekte i kampanje na nacionalnom nivou, kako bi se podigla svest javnosti o značaju medijskih sloboda, medijskog pluralizma i bezbednog rada novinara.

U izveštaju se navodi i da je medijsko tržište u Srbiji verovatno najfragmentiranije u Evropi, ako se uzme u obzir broj stanovnika, pa je tako na kraju 2016. bilo registrovano 1.788 medija.

“Zbog velikog broja medija i ekonomske krize, kao i zbog ukupnog budžeta za oglašavanje od 160 miliona evra, mediji većinom nisu samoodrživi”, piše u izveštaju.

Navodi se i da “dodatni problem predstavlja činjenica da je od ukupno 191 konkursa za sufinansiranje medijskih projekata od javnog interesa, u čak 132 uočena neka vrsta nepravilnosti”.