Urgent Media Assistance for Macedonia

As a results of the war that is happening near Tetovo, Macedonia. Here are the fact finding regarding the media in that region.

1. The transmitters of:

• TV A1 (Private TV network in Macedonian language)

• TV Sitel (Private TV network in Macedonian language)

• TV Art (Private local TV in Albanian language)

• TV Koha (Private local TV in Albanian language)

• TV Kis (Private local TV in Macedonian language)

• Radio Plus Forte (Private local Radio in Macedonian language)

are destroyed. All of these media can not broadcast their programs.

We are facing with the informative blackout in the region of Tetovo and Gostivar.

2. Apart of the problem with broadcasting most of them are facing with the financial problems:

For example:

2.1. TV Art ­ employees are now living in the building of the TV station.

2.2. Radio Plus Forte employees are now living in the radio station. Some of them have fear to face their own Albanians or Macedonians. Radio has mixed ethnicities as an employees. As this radio is in the center of the town it is a meeting point for all media crews (domestic and international ones) that are coming in Tetovo.

Regarding the transmitting equipment, please, all of you have in mind, that it is not the equipment that can be bought shops or in Macedonia:

1. We have managed to find in Skopje transmitters and links, for both radio and TV stations. What we need as soon as possible is MONEY to pay them, as well as MONEY to cover the electricity costs for the new transmitting points where the new transmitters will be placed.

2. There is a need of 5 small hand digital cameras. They are easier to be taken and care secretly without fear that the cameraman could be beaten by the crowd as it happened five days in Tetovo. We need them because of the lack of real information from Tetovo to Skopje/Macedonia.

Approx. amount per one such a camera is $4,000USA.

If we take as a approx. amount per one TV transmitter US$10,000 with all additional stuff, will be needed US$ 40,000. Here, I am counting only the TV stations and the transmitters needed for Tetovo region.

Aggregates- two will be needed for additional electricity power supply US$ 4,000 for both.

Electricity bills - It will take US$1,000 per month for all transmitters.

3. Furthermore, all advertising's are cancelled. They (TV stations: Era,Skopje; SkyNet,Skopje; Tera, Bitola; Art,Tetovo; Kiss,Tetovo; Koha,Tetovo; Radio Plus Forte,Tetovo- all are local private media) have some funds until the end of the month. They do not expect that the ongoing advertising's will be paid as now they are cancelled. I am mentioning only the media that have influence on the audience and civil editorial policy.

• CONCLUSION

There is no independent broadcaster on air in Tetovo and Gostivar region. That means that the population in the war/crisis area is prevented of accurate and professional reporting. And it is one of the most dangerous things to happen as they can be easier manipulated by war mongers through spreading gossips and false or half-information. That would certainly bring more oil into the fire. The information we have from our partners in Roma media tell us that Roma families are trying to find whatever means to escape from the area. Most of them move towards Skopje. The Macedonians react the same way. Also moderate Albanians are under enormous pressure and threats...

Immediate assistance is very much needed. We kindly ask for your support.

Roland Brunner, Medienhilfe Ex-Jugoslawien

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