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Medienhilfe Ex-JugoslawienProfessionelle
Solidarität gegen Nationalismus und Chauvinismus
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from http://www.ifj.org/publications/royant/jnOc01.html Journalists Newsline October 2001Media Task Force sets out its strategy for actionThe Media Task Force (MTF) works to implement the Charter for Media Freedom, designs strategies for professional media and creates a forum for donors and those who receive funding. It reports to the Stability Pact. The MTF has a new Executive Secretary and has established National Working Groups in Bulgaria, Albania, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Romania, Macedonia and Serbia. The groups prepare Action Plans for media reform and advise the MTF on priorities. Contact Yasha Lange on yasha.lange@stabilitypact.orgThe Media Task Force has a new strategy for action - with National Working Groups now working in seven countries in the region. Yasha Lange, presiding over the first full meeting of the Task Force since his appointment as Executive Secretary in July, outlined four areas of work:
In his strategic report Lange made it clear that there is a long way to go. "Despite positive developments, the media in Southeast Europe are still hampered by political influence, economic dependence, lack of sound journalism training, weak professional structures and - in many cases - an unclear and unfinished legislative framework. "A level playing field has not yet materialised. Media laws have to be implemented and enforced according to international standards." He said their task was to:
The strategy aims to create regional networks to encourage the free flow of information, to strengthen private media and improve professionalism. This requires legislative reform and the creation of solid, independent and indispensable press and broadcasting councils, and professional associations. The legal framework must protect public broadcasters against political interference, guarantee freedom of information and allocate broadcasting licenses and frequencies fairly. Training for journalists must be less academic and more geared to real life. "Journalistic professionalism has to be raised to a higher level. The regularly negative coverage of ethnic and religious minorities should be balanced by more tolerant reporting." The strategy says that the best private media have been the real media professionals, "acting as watchdogs of authorities and promoters of civic awareness." They needed help to survive an arduous transition period. Changes cannot be achieved without political, technical and financial support from the international community. The IFJ supports the broad aims of this strategy and welcomed the decision to include the working conditions of journalists amongst strategic priorities, the contribution of National Working Groups (NWG), and continued support from the donor community. However, Oliver Money-Kyrle, who represents the IFJ on the MTF, said after the meeting that the strategy failed to address questions raised by an influx of foreign capital. He said: "Take-overs by West European media groups can solve many of the immediate problems of new investment, management and marketing skills, but the record of other countries shows that this does not necessarily translate into higher professional standards. "German media dominate in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Bulgaria but ethical standards remain poor. Westdeutsher Allgemeine Zeitung controls 80% of the print media in Bulgaria, threatening diversity and pluralism. Oliver Money-Kyrle said: "When strong capital meets poorly organised journalists, professional standards are not addressed. "The danger inherent in ongoing support to private media, is that tax payers' money will fatten up a private media concern only for it to be sold on to foreign capital."source: IFJ Newsline October 2001
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