Author: birnEU

BIRN BiH Congratulated on New Project

The Association of Reporters from the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, AIS, held a meeting on December 23 at which the first TV Justice issue was premiered for AIS members.

Twelve monthly TV Justice programmes will be produced next year. They will be broadcast by local TV stations and on our web page. The first programme features a review of trials conducted before the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina during 2009, an interview with a war-crimes convict and interviews with Court officials.

AIS members agreed on the importance of broadcasting this type of programme, with specialized reports on war-crimes trials.

“This programme really succesd; the review of trials has been done in a very good way,” said BH Radio 1 journalist Mirela Hukovic-Hodzic.

Lea Tajic of the Communications Regulatory Agency, RAK, described the end product as “an extremely good job”.

Other AIS members who attended the premiere agreed with these opinions.

 

Participants at the meeting included Muamer Selimbegovic, FENA, Denis Dzidic, BIRN BiH, Velma Saric, IWPR, Anisa Suceska Vekic, BIRN BiH, Nidzara Ahmetasevic, BIRN BiH, Dragana Erjavec, TV Justice, Aida Alic, BIRN BiH, Merima Husejnovic, BIRN BiH and Erna Mackic, BIRN BiH.

In other business, AIS members agreed to request a meeting with representatives of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina and its Prosecution in order to discuss requests that have been made by this informal advocacy association but which have not yet been fulfilled by the Court.

It was said, once again, that the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina should organize weekly, or at least monthly briefings for journalists, enable access to public documents, such as decisions and resolutions, by uploading them on the State Court’s web page, and publish CDs and photographs from hearings which are open to the
public.

Anisa Suceska Vekic informed participants about the education of journalists from local communities, which BIRN BiH plans to organize next year. She said that AIS members would play an active role in this.

AIS members will discuss future plans of the Association at their next meeting, scheduled for early next year.

 

The First National Budget Forum

The first national budget forum organized by BIRN Serbia and its partner organisation Pro Concept was held on Tuesday in presence of more than fifty governmental, NGO, business sector representatives, experts and journalists.

The aim of the forum was to gather stakeholders from the field of public finances in Serbia and to create a platform for wider public debate in the field.

The panelists on the forum included: Serbian Finance Minister Diana Dragutinovic, National Bank of Serbia Vice Governor Branko Hinic and former high official in Serbian government and university professor of public finances Milica Bisic. Moderator of the event was editor in daily Politika Misa Brkic.

Brkic presented results of analysis, which Pro Concept carried out  on possibilities for savings in the ministries of health and education budgets. He also presented Baseline study on current situation in sector of public finances in Serbia.

“It is possible to save five to seven per cent of the overall budget of ministries of health and education with better planning,” Brkic pointed out.

Dragutinovic said several interesting things regarding problems with controlling public finances in Serbia.
“We do not know how we had spent about 130 billion dinars last year because we do not control spending in different agencies and directorates” Dragutinovic said.

She said that the new law on budget system in Serbia is good and will thus bring a greater level of transparency to Serbia’s public finances. The finance minister announced that she will initiate forming of new fiscal body in order to strengthen capacity of institutions for better planning and spending.

Ms Bisic said that budget for 2010 is realistic but that there will be problems in its implementation if the policies of public finances are not improved.

“The foreign investors are not interested in low tax rates as they are interested for stability and assurance of the whole system” she stressed adding that large numbers of exclusions in tax system were huge mistake.

In the afternoon session, the debate was run within The Chatham house rules, while debate’s conclusions and recommendations are to be used for next stages of the project.

Public Outreach Section Letter

The letter was sent after the AIS meeting in October. 

Dear Sirs,

 

The Association of Court Reporters, AIS, would like to express its dissatisfaction with the Decision contained in “The Regulations on accessing information controlled by the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina”, adopted at the General Session. The AIS considers this Decision to be inappropriate for several reasons – the most important of which is that if it is implemented the Decision will deprive the general public of information about court proceedings. 

 

We would like to remind you that the AIS has for a considerable period of time been appealing to the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina to follow the practice of the Hague Tribunal and allow media to have access to more photographs from courtrooms. On several occasions public assurances have been given that the media will be provided with more photographs, showing unprotected witnesses, judges and prosecutors. However, these assurances have not yet been fulfilled; on the contrary, they are completely undermined by this Decision.  

 

Journalists reporting from war-crimes and organized-crime trials conducted before the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina consider that the current practices pertaining to sharing photographs should be improved. The number of shared photographs should certainly not be reduced. The fact that we receive only indictees’ photos taken at the beginning, in the middle and at the end of trials deprives the public of information from the courtrooms, as these photographs offer only a very limited perspective. We still do not receive photographs of other participants in trials.

 

Significantly, the fact that photographs of indictees are the only photographs published in the media can in certain circumstances be used as an argument by Defence teams. Defence lawyers can claim that repeatedly publishing photos of the indictees develops prejudices against some people even before their guilt has been proved. We have already drawn attention to this problem and received support from judges.

 

We can easily provide you with examples of how the selective publishing of photographs, which is taking place now, undermines objective reporting. We continue to receive group photos of  all indictees at a trial, even though only one of them may have pleaded guilty, for example. In addition, we regularly receive photographs of indictees dressed in summer clothes, even though the reporting period is the the middle of winter. 

 

We are extremely concerned that the new Decision may mean that we will no longer receive video recordings from all hearings, but only recordings made at the beginning, in the middle and at the end of trials. This would directly and negatively affect our capacity to report the work of the Court in an efficient way. 

 

We respectfully request that you reconsider your Decision. It is manifestly in the interest of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina that its proceedings are transparent and open to the public, and this can only be ensured by providing appropriate access to the media. 

 

We are formally asking you to convey our disapproval of the Regulations to the Court authorities. We are convinced that this Decision will make it harder for you to garner public support for the Court and disseminate information about the important work being done by this institution. 

 

Judges of the Court have stressed again and again that “justice must be transparent”. This is a fundamental and indispensable pillar of an open society – and this Decision would lead to the very opposite situation, where transparency in the administration of justice in Bosnia and Herzegovina is actually reduced.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

The Association of Reporters from the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina (consisting of representatives of print and electronic media).
 

Sarajevo, October 23, 2009

The European Young Journalist Award 2010 kicks off

Brussels – The European Commission’s Directorate General for Enlargement is launching the European Young Journalist Award 2010 (EYJA). The competition will reward Europe‘s best young journalists, focusing on EU Enlargement, for the third year running.

The EYJA 2010 challenges journalists and journalism students, aged 17 – 35, to enlarge their vision. It is an opportunity to represent EU Enlargement from creative and thought-provoking angles. The competition will run until 28 February 2010. Print, online and radio journalism, published between 1 October 2007 and 28 February 2010, can be submitted by citizens of one of the EU Member States, Candidate Countries, Potential Candidates or Iceland.
 
The 36 national winners will each be selected by official juries in each participating country. An international jury will then select the three best submissions in the following categories: “Most original”, “Best research” and “Best journalistic style.” Each of the three Special Prize winners will receive a cultural trip, to a European capital of their choice.

Olli Rehn, Commissioner for Enlargement welcomed the EYJA 2010: “The third edition of the European Young Journalist Award continues to reward excellent journalism and gives the European Commission the opportunity to exchange ideas with Europe’s most promising young journalists about questions at the heart of the EU Enlargement project.”

The winners of the EYJA 2010 will visit Istanbul in May 2010 for a cultural and historical trip. Istanbul, one of Europe’s Capitals of Culture for 2010, provides an ideal location for the winners to enlarge their vision through cross-cultural interaction. The trip will end with a conference where views will be exchanged with leading international analysts about European culture, identity and EU Enlargement.

For information on how to enter the competition, please visit www.EUjournalist-award.eu

 

Press contact:

Maurizio Picheca
European Commission / DG Enlargement
Tel. +32 2 29 51929
Email:  [email protected]

Romy Eckert
MEDIA CONSULTA International Holding AG
Tel. +49 (0)30 65 000 – 348
Email: [email protected]

Getting the Message Out

With final proofing and preparation for
publication in progress, some of the editorial team met last week to
discuss this year’s achievements and to look at the editorial
process and importantly to ensure that the articles from this year
receive the widest possible republication and syndication ahead of
the book launches planned for December.

They were joined by Gjerg Erebara one
of last year’s fellows, who like many former fellows has stayed in
touch with BIRN and become a regular contributor to BIRN’s Balkan
Insight online news website (www.balkaninsight.com).
Gjerg was full of praise for the programme, saying that it was an
opportunity for national journalists to “look through a window at
the wider world” and put national events in an international
framework.

One of the bugbears of the programme
every year is the editing process. Even in these technologically
advanced days getting geographically spread individuals together to
collaborate can be a difficult process.

Milos Milosavljevic, BIRN’s Director
of Online Projects took the editors though some new online
collaborative tools that will undoubtedly make things run more
smoothly next year.

The team then discussed plans for
regional re-publishing of this year’s articles. And, less than a
week after the first article was posted and with more than 100
republications of the six articles published to date in some of the
most prominent newspapers and weekly’s in the region, as well as in
international press, they seem to have made a pretty good job of
getting the pieces out to a wider audience.

One online publication is complete, the
articles will be collated and put together in a 250 page book, which
is due for promotional launches in each of the capital cities of the
region during December.

The book launches are a great
opportunity to celebrate and publicise this year’s achievements but
importantly to talk to potential candidates for next year’s
fellowship programme.

Roundtable Discussion on Climate Change

A roundtable discussion was held on the September, 18, 2009, to discuss the issue of climate change. Particular focus was made on understanding the position of Kosovo with regards to climate change as well as possible options available to Kosovo at the 15th Conference of the Parties Conference on Climate Change in Copenhagen, Denmark. Focus for this roundtable discussion was on a recent research paper produced on climate change and the upcoming climate change conference this December. The paper was produced by Nils Pfeiffer, researcher with BIRN.

The roundtable discussion was moderated by Jeta Xharra, BIRN´s director. The participants were:

Lisa Mattsson – Programme Specialist on Environment, United Nations Development Program

Muhamet Malsiu – Director of Environment, Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning

Lorik Haxhiu – Project Manager hired by World Bank for Kosova e Re power plant

Ferdinand Nikolla – Executive Director of Forum for Civic Initiatives, FIQ

Shqipe Neziri – Representative from the Regional Environment, REC Center for Central and Eastern Europe

Jeta Xharra – BIRN Kosovo Director

Pfeiffer opened the roundtable by giving a brief introduction to the vital importance of getting Kosovo engaged with the international community on climate change and where it fits in on this issue. Pfeiffer explained the reasons behind the Copenhagen conference in December – replacing the ailing Kyoto Protocol with a new comprehensive protocol that seeks to enhance action on climate change from 2012. The potential opportunities open to Kosovo at the Copenhagen conference were also explained.

The participants discussed Kosovo’s options to reduce CO2 and other green house gas emissions (that lead to global warming), which are mainly emitted from Kosovo´s lignite power plants, but also from cars and as a result of deforestation. Technologies such as carbon capture and storage, cogeneration, and voluntary carbon emissions trading would provide ways in which Kosovo could in the future work towards reducing CO2 and GHG emissions.

The participants stressed the current lack of awareness, political will, financial resources and human capacity to effectively do anything about climate change. These would need to improve for action to be successful. But participants acknowledged that environmental NGOs, the media and donor organisations, such as UNDP, could help to push Kosovo to act.

All participants agreed to the importance for Kosovo to become engaged on climate change. There was also consensus that the upcoming climate change conference offers a great opportunity for Kosovo.

The research was supported by Rockefeller Brothers Fund.

BIRN – Justice Report cited in Amnesty International Report

Several articles written by Justice Report journalists have been cited in the latest Amnesty International Report, “Whose Justice? Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Women Still Waiting“.

The Report is the product of year-long research conducted in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It addresses the difficult position of women who were raped during the past war, and their dissatisfaction with the poor treatment they receive from Bosnian authorities.

Amnesty International, AI, quoted BIRN – Justice Report articles on rape trials conducted behind closed door before the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and its coverage of agreements signed between the Prosecution of Bosnia and Herzegovina and war-crimes indictees.

AI is a global movement with more than two million members, which currently leads campaigns to end grave violations of human rights in more than fifteen countries.

BIRN – Justice Report is an agency specialized in reporting on trials conducted before the War Crimes Chamber of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina and covering issues related to transitional justice and facing the past in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

More about report: Amnesty International: Suffering in Silence

Life in Kosovo celebrates its fourth anniversary

BIRN Kosovo’s weekly show Life in Kosovo (Jeta ne Kosove) celebrated its fourth anniversary last Friday at a gala held at Pristina’s National Museum.

Hundreds of guests gathered for the event during which Jeta Xharra, the director of BIRN Kosovo, presented certificates to the mayors involved in the pre and post election debates of 2007.

Life in Kosovo has broadcasted 267 TV debates accompanied by in-depth TV reports on RTK, Kosovo’s public sector broadcaster, tackling political, economic, social, and minority issues. The show is watched by 350,000 viewers on average each week and is well respected for its ground-breaking investigations.

EU special representative Pieter Feith, addressing the audience, praised the show Life in Kosovo and its staff.

“Your progammes are inquisitive. You put your opponents on the back foot. You make sure that your interviewees are saying the wrong things, and the programmes are always interesting to watch,” he said.

Kosovo parliament speaker Jakup Krasniqi also presented his views on the show. He told guests: “Jeta [Xharra] and her shows are not always pleasant. They are bitter too. Kosovo has gone through a difficult time and now it’s the time when Kosovo should have free speech and a free media. I wish Life in Kosovo the best of luck and success.”

American Ambassador to Kosovo, Christopher Dell said: “I would urge you to take the courage in your strength as journalists to understand the power you yield, not just to inform but to focus the public discourse. I ask you to pay attention to your serious responsibilities that are accompanied with great power, responsibilities to serve your country and your communities.”

The current affairs show includes field reports, direct questioning of key decision-makers and studio debates. It covers the most important political and social issues unfolding on a weekly basis in Kosovo.

The programme has scrutinised the activities of the government, the legislative process in Kosovo’s parliament, issues relating to Kosovo’s non-Albanian communities, the economy, property rights, human rights and decentralisation.

Guests at the anniversary event included municipal leaders, government officials, opposition figures, civil society, local media and representatives of the international community.

Jeta Xharra, the anchor and editor of the program, explained that it has been an incredible journey to get to here.

“The municipal election debates have been the most rewarding programmes because of the incredible audience we had in the town halls participating in the debates, as well as those watching us on TV. It is especially encouraging to receive the amount of feedback and questions we are getting from members of the public for the debates on this year’s local elections which are due on November 15,” said Xharra.

“We couldn’t have got to where we are today without the help of our friends. One of the best friends we are lucky to have is Agim Zatriqi, [RTK General Director] who has been the strongest supporter of “Jeta ne Kosove”. He did not buckle under a lot of pressure to bump the show off air, and for this we will be eternally grateful to him,” said Xharra.

She added: “The only sour note to this celebration has been the news that Agim has just resigned.”

Top Award for BIRN Albania Editor

At the CEI Journalist forum. held in Warsaw on September 24th, Besar Likmeta, BIRN’s Albania Editor, received the CEI SEEMO Award for Outstanding Merits in Investigative Journalism.

The award was presented by Central European Initiative Secretary General Amb. Pietro Ercole Ago and South East Europe Media Organization Secretary General Oliver Vujovic.

The Jury composed of prominent journalists, correspondents and editors from across Europe, examined a total of 26 nominations from 12 CEI Member States.

The jury took into account the personal risks taken in uncovering stories, the quality of reporting and the impact on society of the message conveyed, when making their decision and unanimously decided that the Award should go to Likmeta.

With this selection, the Jury said that they intended to “promote the good investigative journalism carried out by a very young journalist and, more in general, to convey a signal of support to the development of investigative journalism in Albania, which is particularly significant for this country”.

Fellowship Articles Submitted – Editing Underway

The Ten fellows taking part in the 2009 Balkan Fellowship for Journalistic Excellence programme, submitted their in-depth reports on August 31. Their reports were produced as a result of research and travel across both the Balkans and the EU during previous 4 months.

This year, their reports address the topic – Identity – from different angles, looking at the Balkan’s criminal, social, economic, cultural and religious landscape, examining the new role of woman in economic migration, the phenomenon of mixed marriages in post-conflict societies, the devastating consequences of on-going repatriation programmes, disputes between various national and religious groups as well as prevailing attitudes toward the LGBT community.  
 
Read the Balkan Fellowship for Journalistic Excellence web site to find updates from the fellows written during the research period, that are offer interesting insightson their travels and their articles that are about to be published on BIRN’s on line publication, Balkan Insight and in a special hard-copy publication which will be launched at a special promotional gatherings throughout the region. Each year, the reports are also  syndicated to the local and international media.
 
The reports will be edited by BIRN’s experienced editorial team, and will be officially presented on November 27th to the Selection Committee, which will award bursaries of € 4,000, € 3,000 and € 1,000 to the authors of the three winning articles.

The Balkan Fellowship for Journalistic Excellence is an initiative of the Robert Bosch Stiftung and the ERSTE Foundation, in cooperation with the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network.