MEDIA AND SECURITY

Radio Frequencies and Satellite Channels as a Means of Conflict Prevention and Resolution

by Veran Matic, Radio B92

Broadcast media have played an important role in fomenting war in former Yugoslavia, Rwanda and other conflict regions. Absolute control over the media is often manipulated to spread hate and destructive propaganda. As a result conflicts multiply and become more brutal. But just as media may contribute to the outbreak of conflicts, so may they help to prevent or resolve them. The most successful example of the use of broadcast media - in this case radio - to bring peace in the wake of conflict and help revive normal life, can be found in Cambodia. The United Nations (UN), in line with its peacekeeping mandate, on arrival in Cambodia established 6 independent radio stations. Today former UN General Secretary Yasushi Akashi claims that those radio stations played a key role in achieving peace in the country and holding the first free elections after the civil war.

Up until now, there have been several attempts to break the lack of information or monopoly on information in Balkans through 'knee-jerk' type projects such as Radio Brod. It is generally accepted that this project had little real impact on the media and that a large sum of money was wasted in the process. A similar project is the OBN TV in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Although the Open Broadcasting Network was a commendable idea, inefficent implementation has since cast a dark shadow over the project.

The programmes of the Voice of America (VOA), Radio Free Europe (RFE), Deutshe Welle (DW) and Radio France Internationale (RFI) are not effective unless re-broadcast by local stations. Still greater impact can be achieved when local stations are able to broadcast their programme on the frequencies of those international networks. Local communities tend to resist programmes which are made outside of that community; a constant in both media and politics. We no longer live in the age of the Cold War when the programmes of the Voice of America or BBC were not just the only source of information, but also symbolised some kind of political resistance. But still the situation can be completely different when local or regional stations broadcast via major international networks.

The form of co-operation between Radio B92 and the VOA, RFE, DW that took place during the ban on B92 last December may serve as a model in future to reform these international stations; their frequences or satellite channels, when not in use, could be rented to those national or local media which are unable to obtain a frequency or whose broadcasts are restricted.

Authoritarian governments often place restrictions on the allocation of frequencies. Even if they sign the International Convention on Distribution of Frequencies, totalitarian regimes still exercise this right as a powerful political, i.e. party, tool. Commissions for the distribution of frequencies are either formed by governments or are parliamentary Commissions, where the governing party has the absolute majority. This problem can be overcome in part by using existing frequencies which for years have served as a vehicle for propaganda in the Cold War.

Of upmost importance is that a programme is both produced in and broadcast from the conflict area itself, with local teams; information which comes from outside the country is often superficial and often portrays the local community in terms of stereo types.

To overcome the government-imposed broadcast restriction on Radio B92 (Belgrade only) we distribute our programmes via phone or Internet, and then send them via satellite so the whole region may receive our information programmes. In this way local radio stations can re-broadcast B92 programmes and can, at the same time, also participate by sending their own reports to the network. The network can cover up to 80% of Serbia - the only way to resist the state propaganda network is by fighing back with ever greater professionalism. The fact that no radio station exists in Kosovo currently excludes the possibility of covering that teritorry under the existing netwrok. If political pressure were stronger, the Albanian weekly 'Koha' and B92 would be ready to establish a radio station in Kosovo immediately.

Radio B92 also wants to duplicate the radio network model in the area of television pulling together local televisions throughout the country. At this time, only satellite TV could cover enough of Serbia to constitute an effective form of opposition to the manipulative propaganda of state-owned television. The importance of a TV network is ever greater given this year's Republican and Presidential elections.

Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic is, of course, more than aware of the importance of television; it is for this reason private broadcaster BK TV has recently lost its transmission rights in much of Serbia, limiting the station to Belgrade and Novi Sad.

At the same time it would only be possible to cover the territory of Kosovo, where most households have a satellite dish, via broadcasts from Belgrade, because it is unrealistic to expect President Milosevic to allow broadcasts from Kosovo. B92, in its programme for local stations, would allow special time for the programme made by journalists of 'Koha'. So, the satellite channel could both facilitiate the distribution of a professionally realised programme - which would contribute to the democratisation of Serbia - , and help to realise autonomous projects, like programmes in Albanian which would be prepared by ethnic Albanians, - and which facilitate conflict resolution and reconciliation. The programmes in Albanian would also fill the existing void of information suffered by all citizens of Kosovo. The foundations of the programme would be built from already existing TV programmes (Studio B, BK TV, local stations), as well as important TV stations in the region, e.g. those from OBN TV network in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, Macedonia. In addition there would be independent productions which would cover the activities of the independent sector.

Kosovo is not the only conflict flashpoint in the region. The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) could support constructive media projects throughout Europe more readily if it were to have a number of satellite channels and frequencies at its disposal, and were able to distribute them in line with its programme for conflict prevention and resolution. If this were to happen, for example, Radio B92 would not have to gear its long-term funding strategy towards the covering the cost of renting a satellite channel. Radio B92 could, as would other media, instead contract a channel for a set period of time, in accordance with the OSCE's democratization programme for Serbia and for preventive actions in Kosovo. OSCE monitoring teams could include media experts, and freedom of speech and media freedom monitors. Those experts could supervise the process of professionalisation in the media, and at the same time report on cases of media repression. This project is compatible with projects for the re-construction of Bosnia and Herzegovina and would contribute to the realisation of the Dayton Agreement. Moreover, it would reduce tensions in Macedonia and Albania.

There is no reason why such regional projects cannot become in a matter of years financially solvent. Of course, that depends on the quality the programme on offer - but at the very least a basis for serious regional cooperation would be created.

Broadcast media are an increasingly important factor in local and regional security. That is why I believe it is the OSCE that should pioneer the project. Satellite programmes break down borders and make communication barriers senseless. But it is important to act quickly; democratisation in Serbia must be speeded up if current tensions in Kosovo are to lessen. Democratisation of Serbia, dependent on the liberalistion of the media, would make possible a peaceful settlement to the Kosovo question. This region would also have, for the first time in seven years, a programme made jointly by independent journalists from Kosovo, Serbia and Montenegro.

Independent media cannot create security in Europe, but they can assist the creation in the preventative programmes and solutions.

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