Home
up

	CENTER FOR HUMANISTIC STUDIES  "GANI BOBI", PRISHTINë Education programs, researches, media monitoring

In the postwar Kosova, a rapid increase of number of media that did not exist before the war, was evident. Certainly, this occurred with the initiative of locals and the initiative of international community and NGOs, which grasped media development as an important momentum in the democratization of Kosova. Most of these media were supported by various governmental and non-governmental organizations for the essential reason of: creating a larger informative spectrum, in order to diminish the chances for monopolization of the informative composite in Kosova. Currently in Kosova, there are 7 daily newspapers, 2 weekly, over 30 radio stations and a considerable number of local TV stations, with comprise of three stations with a larger broadcast domain, that covers entire Kosova through satellite transmission  (RTK, Koha TV and TV 21).

We consider that media development in Kosova should be observed with continual monitoring of the media, which do not put into action their primal function, thus are often turned into mechanisms for certain political aspirations of any political center, in particular. For this reason, we trust that continuous media monitoring provides a clear picture for long-term media orientations and their endeavors with a specific impact on democratization of Kosova.

During year 2000, we witnessed elections in Kosova, while in the following year we expect a greater event of general elections to take place in Kosova. Monitoring is undoubtedly essential in a substantial event like that, in the forthcoming period. 

It is certain that, media during the elections could be specifically monitored, thus we believe they should be repeatedly observed with an exact purpose of testifying and concluding their real tendencies beforehand and during the elections.

Media monitoring in Kosova is provided by KFOR, OSCE and Center for Humanistic Studies “Gani Bobi” in Prishtina. KFOR performs monitoring of its own with internal purposes and it is not open for public opinion. OSCE’s monitoring is naturalized with specific emphasis on regulation necessities and issues on media as its concerning matter from the very beginning. Monitoring performed by CHS “Gani Bobi” is focused on the long-term media development and professionalism based on the local capacities. Our center is fully independent, it does not impose regulations of any kind, thus it plays the role of feedback in the media development in Kosova. On the other hand, our center is distinctive with its specialized team of experts and local professionals trained in performing activities, with a potential for significant changes and a promising efficiency for the future. Currently, we are monitoring following media: Koha Ditore, Zëri, Rilindja, Kosova Sot, Epoka e Re, Bota Sot (Print media); RTK, KTV, TV 21, (TV stations); Radio Kosova, Radio 21, Radio Rilindja and Radio Blue Sky (Radio stations).  

Since the beginning of 1999 up to now, CHS “Gani Bobi” has published 20 bulletins and carried out media monitoring during the recent election campaign, with an entire compilation of 5 reports and these days the final report wiil be relaeased. The quality of these results and analysis are widespread and recognizable information for public opinion, relevant subjects, that includes you also.

The Center has 13 people engaged in this project: 8 monitors, 2 analysts, 2 data processors and project coordinator. Our activities regarding this project started with 4 monitors, 2 analysts and coordinator of the project who was also involved in the analysis performance. Hence, the continuous increase of number of media, and the purpose for a more complete monitoring urged the necessity for proportional increase of the staff in the media monitoring team, especially at the outset of election campaign in Kosova which initiated at the same time when two new TV stations Koha TV and TV 21) were first launched. Initially, we were focused on the qualitative analysis of media and developed the monitoring to the further extent with figures supported by statistical analysis. The whole package was sealed with significance of revealing the existing biases of medias towards certain political personalities or centers.

Beforehand the electoral campaign for the forthcoming elections in Kosova, a necessity in preparing the strategy and changing the methodology in media monitoring was instant. This was the main reason for adjusting the acting dynamics (in the previous times media monitoring bulletin was published biweekly). Now we are working on weekly reports during the election period, with a particular focus on media performance during the election campaign. At this certain point, our work was based on information and close cooperation with Thomas Carson (Ph. D. in Social Psychology) who was responsible person in establishing OSCE Media Monitoring Center in Bosnia. Our cooperation with Mr. Carson was very instructive and it was realized with sponsorship of OSI Budapest (Media Network) as technical-advisory support to the media monitoring project during the election campaign (since this specific domain of media monitoring was new to the local staff). In addition to the modified methodology, our monitoring will continue with its emphasis in the long-term media development.

Media monitoring results and analysis are being announced to all international and local agencies, governmental and NG organizations, which implement their specific project activities with particular emphasis on media performance in Kosova. Certainly, the target group we consider to be monitored and unmonitored medias to whom we distribute media monitoring results as an optional indicator to the lacks in their accomplished work. Unsurprisingly, our analysis and results were often unwelcome, mostly by media managers who conducted their work with the lack of professionalism, in a more sensational manner and evident bias, rather than work based on the actual occasions.

Apart from this, in the previous months, our monitoring center organized two conferences and we are planning to organize the third conference at the election closure.

The first conference was organized in cooperation with Journalist Association of Kosova in June this year, and with this occasion we posed the question and discussions regarding “Media and Tolerance” while the following conference was under realization of our center again, this time in cooperation with EIM (European Institute for Media). This conference was carried out in July, 2000 with panel discussions regarding “Media and Elections”. This conference was estimated as a very successful event of vital importance, and it was additionally honored with participation of ambassador Daan Everts OSCE high representative in Kosova. The event in word was covered by all media and attained a high rate of publicity in the entire media and media related subjects’ prominence. We grasp the realization of similar conferences and tribunes is fruitful and relevant to raise discussions based on analysis and results of our work. We plan to accomplish the same thing in the up coming year. This is one segment of our strategy in attaining the real impact on the media development.

CHS “Gani Bobi” was established by the end of 1997 with the purpose to stimulate new methods of work with students and professors at University of Prishtina. Center for Humanistic Studies and the implementation of its program relied upon the experience gained by institutions called Invisible College who base their work upon the individual work of mentors and talented students in specific research projects. The breakout of the war in spring 1998, prevented a complete accomplishment of Center’s program.

At the outset, the Center was implementing activities as a separate branch of Kosova Education Enrichment Program sponsored by Fund for Open Society (as the part of Sorosh Foundation network). Since October 1999, the Center with head office in Prishtina, started implementing activities as independent institution in regard to education and research activitie. The leading Board of the Center has 11 members. The Board is consisted of University professors and prominent intellectuals: Nait Vrenezi (Chairman of the Board, Professor of Social Psychology), Rexhep Ismajlil  (Prof. of Linguistics), Shkelzen Maliqi (Philosopher and Publicist), Anton Berishaj (Lecturer of Theory of Literature and writer), Ganimete Kulinxha (Pedagogue), Muhamedin Kullashi (Prof. of Philosophy in Paris), Lulëzim Peci (Political Scientist), Filloreta Bytyci (Lawyer), Mehmet Behluli (Painter, lecturer in Faculty of Arts) and Astrit Salihu (Philosopher and Director of the Center).

At the present time, Center operates with a small number of staff with full time employment (Director of the Center, Program Assistant and Financial Manager) thus it has more associates involved in implementing specific projects.

In November 1999, Center carried out research on the public opinion of Kosova and launched a project for Media Monitoring in Kosova (monitoring of printed and broadcast media). The activities of the Center are organized into three separate branches:

• Education

• Research

• Media

go to top

P.O. Box, CH-8031 Zürich, Switzerland
Phone +41-1-272 46 37,  Fax +41-1-272 46 82, email: info@MEDIENHILFE.ch