Documentary about life Sandzak

BIRN Serbia, in cooperation with Radio Television Serbia`s TV magazine programme “Oko”, has produced a thirty minute documentary on life in the south Serbian city of Novi Pazar.

The film, which is a sequel to the first feature on the life of Albanian people in Presevo, was broadcast on December 7 on Radio Television Serbia.

The documentary looks into the daily lives of local Bosniaks and the social problems facing this population, including interethnic tension and years of economic struggles.

Local representatives of the NGO sector, youth, and the economy, as well as the mayor of Novi Pazar, Meho Mahmutovic, were interviewed during the three days of filming in search of stories about everyday life in this part of Serbia, and the cultural and religious heritage of the region.

The third and final part of the series is scheduled to be completed within the next several months.
The three-part documentary is part of BIRN Serbia’s project “Building public awareness and political dialogue in multiethnic areas as a conflict prevention tool”.

BIRN In Southwest Serbia

BIRN Serbia and RTS’s (Serbia’s state broadcasting company) ‘Oko
magazine’ programme have joined forces once again, this time in
pursuit of an answer to questions about why the Sandzak region has
failed to adjust to the changing business environment, and if its
deteriorating economic situation is linked to the rising ethnic
tensions in Serbia’s majority Bosniak southwest.

Local businesspeople, experts and citizens have offered their view on
this issue, revealing how  the “Novi Pazar economic miracle”  has
failed to materialise, and how today’s tough social climate influences
growing nationalistic voices in the region.
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During the1990’s, when Milosevic’s Yugoslavia was under international
sanctions, the Sandzak region flourished thanks to businesspeople who
seized opportunities in the ‘grey market’, importing scarce goods and
avoiding administrative barriers.

Counterfeit international jeans brands made Novi Pazar famous in
Serbia and  all around Europe, where “Pazar jeans” found their way
through to the local market.

But following the overthrow of Milosevic in 2000, and the state’s
shift towards a more  regulated market the clouds gathered in the once
sunny Sandzak sky. Some 300 companies have closed since then and
official statistics record an unemployment rate of 54 per cent.

 ‘Oko magazine’ will be broadcast on Tuesday, December 7th at 18.25 pm.

Second National Budget Forum in Serbia

BIRN Serbia and its partner organisation Pro Concept are organising the second National Budget Forum which takes place in the building of the country’s parliament on November 26 at 11am local time.
The aim of the forum is to gather stakeholders from the field of public finances in Serbia and to create a platform for wider public debate in the field.
The main topics are: tax reform, good governance of public finance and spending priorities for the 2011 budget.
Slavica Djukic Dejanovic, the country’s parliamentary speaker, will open the event after which Finance Minister Diana Dragutinovic will have her say. Renowned journalist Dimitrije Boarov will moderate the forum. 
The first National Budget Forum was held in October 2009 in presence of more than fifty governmental, NGO, business sector representatives, experts and journalists.

Promises made Before the Election Campaign

This Thursday in Life in Kosovo, representatives of political parties will discuss the promises made before the election campaign.

Is there sufficient budget to fulfill the promises made before the start of election campaign? Are these empty promises? How legitimate is the government’s decision to increase salaries of teachers? How feasible is this promise if the budget for 2011 is not approved yet? Why are official cars being used for the election campaigns?

To discuss these and other issues related to promises and decisions before the election campaign, host Muhamet Hajrullahu has invited the following guests:

Nait Hasani, from PDK
Avni Arifi, from AAK
Linda Shala, from FER
Arben Gashi, from LDK

After the debate, Jeta Xharra interviews Ismet Kryeziu, leader of the Coalition of NGOs Democracy in Action about the irregularities of elections in Rahovec and local elections of 2009. Will these mistakes be repeated on December 12?

After that, journalist Edona Musa looks at why the UCCK (University Clinical Centre of Kosovo) isn’t providing a form of heart care widely available in private clinics.

At the end of the show, journalist Alban Selimi looks at how deputies of the Assembly of Kosovo have responded to the call for blood donation.

Preparations for Early Elections

Tonight, in Life in Kosovo show, representatives of political parties in the Central Election Commission on one side and representatives of non-governmental organizations on the other will discuss the preparations for the early parliamentary elections of 12 December.

Before the debate, BIRN broadcasts Edona Musa’s interview with Doctor Gjina Zeqiri, who was asked about the reasons that led to the closure of her private hospital.

After the interview, journalist Muhamet Hajrullahu will be joined in the studio by representatives of political parties in the Central Elections Commission and representatives of non-governmental organizations to discuss about the preparations for early parliamentarian elections to be held on 12 December and the challenges that will need to be overcome.

Is the CEC prepared to organize early elections in a professional end democratic manner? Have the electoral lists been updated or we will still have dead people on the voter’s lists? What are the problems and challenges identified during the previous elections? What do the representatives of non-governmental organizations say about the abuse of citizens’ votes and other irregularities identified in the previous elections?

To discuss these and other issues related to early elections, Muhamet Hajrullahu’s guests in the studio will be:

Betim Gjoshi – representative of PDK in the CEC,
Florian Dushi – representative of LDK in the CEC,
Ilir Fetahu – representative of LDD in the CEC,
Albulena Sadiku – NGO INPO and
Avni Zogiani – NGO ÇOHU.

After the debate, BIRN will broadcast a report prepared by journalist Alban Selimi about the destruction of cultural heritage in Novoberdo.

At the end of the show, BIRN looks at allegations involving the construction of flats in Suhareke prepared by researcher Petrit Kryeziu.

 

Life in Kosovo Progress Report

Tonight, in the Life in Kosovo show, political representatives will discuss the European Commission’s Progress Report of 2010 on Kosovo.

Before the debate, BIRN broadcasts Jeta Xharra’s interview with the head of the European Commission, Liaison Office in Kosovo, Renzo Daviddi, who was asked about the main problems that the Progress Report addresses.

After the interview, journalist Muhamet Hajrullahu holds a debate with representatives of political parties to discuss the issues raised by the Progress

 

Report, including corruption, organised crime and freedom of expression in Kosovo.

What are the main criticisms of the latest Progress Report of the European Commission on Kosovo? How do the political parties representatives assess these criticisms? Why do the criticisms and concerns remain the same as the previous year? Why is there no political willingness to fight corruption?

To discuss these and other issues regarding the Progress Report, the guests of Muhamet Hajrullahu in the studio will be:

Besim Beqaj, Minister of European Integration from PDK
Zylfije Hundozi, from Alliance for the Future of Kosovo, AAK
Besnik Bislimi, from Vetvendosje Movement
Qëndrim Gashi, from Fryma e Re – FER

During the debate, BIRN will also broadcast a TV report from journalist Edona Musa, who interviewed representatives from civil society organisations about their assessments of the Progress Report.

After the debate, journalist Alban Selimi looks at doctors who get paid by pharmaceutical companies to prescribe medicine to their patients.

Most Money from City Budget for Child Protection

The people of Belgrade had the opportunity  today to, for the first time, within the “Make your own city budget“ street event, allocate 58 billion dinars of imaginary money  representing the budget of Belgrade in 24 boxes of city secretariats and agencies within the city government.

Street event “Make your own city budget” was held in celebration of the European Week of Local Democracy in front of Usce Shopping Center, and was organized by the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network and Pro concept, in cooperation with the city agency for European integration and cooperation with associations.

People who  were involved in action believe that the most money from the city budget should be placed for  the Secretary for Child Protection some 11.91 per cent of the total city budget, followed by the Health Secretary 9.8 per cent, Secretary for Education 9.6 per cent, the Youth Office  7.76 per cent and the Culture Secretary 7.63 per cent.

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At the bottom of their priority list were the Department of Informatics and Statistics, 1.74 per cent,  Government  Secretary 1.34per cent, Commercial Space Agency 0.75per cent, Secretary of Finance 0.75per cent, and the Public Procurement Agency 0.53per cent of the total city budget.

The Director of the Agency for European integration and cooperation with associations Danko Runic pointed that today we have the opportunity to show to the people how they can participate in decision making at the local level.
 
“This is an example of how people should influence the decision makers and how they would allocate the funds from the budgetary resources of the city. The main principle of the European Charter of Local Self-Government is the financial independence of local governments and this action shows that there is a need for financial decentralization and active participation of citizens in it.

The City of Belgrade for the first time this year is participating in celebrations of the European Week of Local Democracy, which is an event that marked the Member States of the Council of Europe in 47 countries “- said Runić.

According to him, the Council of Europe this year awarded Belgrade the “City with 12 stars” title, based on a program that is nominated to mark the European Week of Local Democracy.  

“People  now have the opportunity to send a clear message to the authorities what are their priorities in spending the budget. This action is only part of the project, which includes participatory budgeting of local municipalities and prominence of trasnparentnosti budget process. “- said Danko Cosic, director of Pro Concept.

Cosic said that the results of todays action will be presented to competent institutions dealing with the formation of the budget.

Life in Kosovo debates the latest political developments in the country

Tonight, Life in Kosovo broadcasts a debate with representatives from Kosovo’s political parties who will talk about the latest political developments in Kosovo.

When will the General Elections be held? What is the attitude of PDK, LDK and other parties regarding the elections?  How is the institutional crisis in Kosovo being managed and how are the preparations for the new elections going? Is the Central Elections Commission ready to organise General Elections this year? When will we have political clarity in the country?
 

To discuss this, Jeta Xharra will be joined in the studio by:
 

Lutfi Haziri, LDK
Bajram Rexhepi, PDK
Ilir Deda, FER
Glauk Konjufca, Vetevendosje
 

Analysis by journalist Muhamet Hajrullahu will be broadcast during the debate about how the PDK-LDK coalition functioned over the past three years and what journalists think about the coalition.
 

Journalist Edona Musa looks at the scandal of why 33,000 euro of medicine has been left outside the Central University Clinical Hospital,  Kosovo’s main hospital.

BIRN Training in Albania

As a part of the project ‘Advancing Independent Investigative Journalism in Albania’ BIRN has organised a specialised training workshop on news gathering and international standards for a group of young journalists.

The two day workshop, started on Wednesday and , is led by Balkan Insight Editor in Chief, Gordana Igric, and Besar Likmeta, BIRN’s Albania Editor and is based on a curriculum developed by BIRN and available from our website.

Click here to view the training agenda

During the training session, the team will commission investigative reports from topics suggested by the journalists  and create investigative teams  to work on the report.

The project’s objectives are to improve the journalists’ skills in analytical reporting and provide them with the ability to produce high quality analytical and investigative reports on crucial issues.

BIRN’s aim is to do this a way that is practical and sustainable over time, making sure that these journalists have access to continued education, useful resources and the experience, advice and support of colleagues doing similar work in similar situations elsewhere. They will also have regular opportunities to work at this level and publish their reports.

The project hopes to foster enhanced co-operation with media outlets in the country, raise awareness through free republishing in general print, electronic and internet outlets, and to expand the reach and impact of local journalists’ reporting to both the wider region and internationally.

On the job training and publishing, Tirana, 13-14 October, 2010

Venue: Media Institute


AGENDA

Wednesday, October 13th

09:30 – 10:00    Introduction, Gordana Igrić, BIRN regional director
10:15 – 11:15    Skills Building, Gordana Igrić
–    Five types of articles
–    Writing Style
–    Writing Tips
–    Quotes
–    Sources
11:15 – 11:30    Coffee break
11:30 – 12:30    News Analysis, Gordana Igrić/Besar Likmeta
–    Defining News Analysis
–    Difference Between News and News Analysis
–    Composition of the News Analysis
12:30 – 13:30    Lunch break
13:30 – 15:30    Commissioning articles, discussing story proposals

Thursday, October 14th

9:30 – 10:30   Investigative reporting, Gordana Igric
10:30: 11:00   Coffee break
11:00- 12:30   Commissioning investigative report, discussing story proposals, Gordana Igric / Besar Likmeta
12:30 – 13:30   Lunch break
13:30 – 15:30   Presenting investigation online, Milos Milosavljevic, Gordana Igric