Macedonian Media Monitor No. 3
Pilot Report (27 September-3 October, 2001)
Monitors: Gordana Icevska and Veton Latifi
Electronic Media
In general, Macedonian and Albanian language TV stations observe daily events here without commenting on them. However, it is frequently obvious from the manner in which the information is presented that almost every TV station favours a particular political position on the situation.
Sympathy for the government's position is most visible in the reporting of the Macedonian language news programme on Macedonian Television, MTV. MTV (Macedonian) news always covers the activities of state officials, and presents stories relating to the government as the first item.
Much of the news on Macedonian language Sitel TV is presented unprofessionally, with its editor-newsreaders adding their comments. This invariably involves criticism of the National Liberation Army, NLA, and certain government politicians - most frequently those from the VMRO-DPMNE party.
Macedonian language A1 TV presents the news in a dramatic manner, yet, in comparison with the other TV stations, it has the most professional approach to reporting events.
In the past seven days, the most important events for the Macedonian and Albanian language media have been: amendments to the constitution stipulated in the Framework Agreement and the proposed referendum, the disbandment of the NLA, the amnesty for members of the NLA, and the new NATO mission.
The Macedonian language media report regularly on breaches of the ceasefire, which have occurred in spite of the disbandment of the NLA. This is not covered in the Albanian language media, however.
Changes to the Constitution - The Referendum and the Framework Agreement
The Macedonian language media report on the proposed referendum on constitutional amendments provided for in the Framework Agreement, by presenting statements given by representatives of all political parties. They provide equal time for both Macedonian and Albanian political parties, and report on the position of both the government and the opposition.
On Saturday September 29, MTV ran an item examining the possibilities of amending the terms of the Ohrid Agreement. It is obvious from this broadcast by Mirjana Dimovska that the positions of Macedonian politicians are favored, "Taking the position that the Agreement cannot be changed denies freedom of thought and civil rights."
On September 24, in MTV's Albanian language newscast, statements from DPA deputy Demus Bajrami and PDP deputy Abdula Aliu were presented, praising the idea of some amendments to the agreement.
Disarmament of the NLA
Editor of Sitel TV Zoran Ivanov makes the following introduction to an item focusing on the NLA press conference, "Ali Ahmeti put on a Versace suit and said he was distancing himself from everything that has happened. He came here and brought us death, leaving rubble behind which now has to be cleaned up by someone else".
During this press conference, held on September 27, Ahmeti announced that the NLA would be disbanded and requested that the Macedonian authorities give amnesty to its members. He also made a statement on his future engagement in Macedonian political life, in which he said that, despite excellent cooperation with the Albanian political parties, he is nevertheless undecided on any new political role he might play.
A1 reports on this event with objectivity.
MTV does not cover this story in its Macedonian language broadcast, but the Albanian language programme runs a lengthy feature based on the press conference in the main news broadcast on September 27. MTV's news services in Macedonian and Albanian are produced by separate sections.
MTV's Albanian language programme also refers to the disbandment of the NLA in an item broadcast on September 28, presenting the reactions of politicians, including statements from VMRO-DPMNE spokesman Gjorgji Trendafilov and SDSM spokeswoman Radmila Sekerinska, as well as from DPA and PDP representatives.
Trendafilov and Sekerinska expressed their scepticism with regard to this development, while PDP and DPA representatives praised it and said it was done in accordance with the NATO Operation Essential Harvest agreement.
The Macedonian language media report that shooting continues in Macedonia in spite of the disbandment of the NLA, while the Albanian language media avoid making this analysis.
A longer article presented on September 27 in the MTV Albanian language news includes reactions to a statement made by SDSM deputy Nikola Popovski from DPA vice-president Iljaz Halimi and PDP parliamentary group coordinator Naser Ziberi.
Popovski stated that SDSM deputies would re-examine their support for the constitutional changes if military activities continued. This statement was analysed by Halimi and Ziberi as a marketing ploy by SDSM to win back the support of those citizens who disapproved of its opposition to the referendum initiative.
Macedonian Radio information programmes in Albanian are placing the emphasis on the disbandment of the NLA.
Amnesty
MTV and A1 report on the amnesty by quoting representatives of all political parties, without making any additional comment. Their broadcasts show objectivity.
Sitel also broadcasts statements from both Macedonian and Albanian politicians, but it is obvious from the tone used in its reports that it is against granting an amnesty to members of the NLA.
For example, in a October 1 report, the editor-newsreader announces that "while we are providing amnesties the rest of the world has declared war on terrorism".
Significant time is devoted to the amnesty issue in the MTV Albanian language newscast of September 25. It broadcasts an interview with justice minister Ixhet Memeti, in which he states that the Law on Amnesty has been drafted, forseeing the provision of amnesties to three categories of people: ordinary members of the NLA, those against whom court proceedings have already begun, and those who are at present imprisoned.
On September 29, it presents the opinions of NLA leader Ali Ahmeti, justice minister Ixhet Memeti and parliamentary deputies Bilal Lutfiu, DPA, and Ismet Ramadani, PDP, on this issue. They all stand for granting a total amnesty to all NLA members and for their reintegration into civic life, in accordance with President Trajkovski's plan.
Statements from Macedonian politicians are not presented in this programme.
NATO in Macedonia
All media report regularly on NATO press conferences.
A1 TV does this objectively, broadcasting the statements of NATO officials, while Sitel TV frequently comments on NATO activities, deeming them to be inappropriate.
MTV has a positive attitude towards the new NATO mission. For example, a September 30 report focusing on it glorifies the involvement of the alliance as the most decisive influence on Macedonia's future, "The new NATO mission means overall stabilization, and civic and cultural identification with European values," it said.
NATO press conferences were regularly covered by Macedonian Radio Albanian language information programmes, with the emphasis on the amnesty and conditions for the return of the police force to the regions affected by the conflict.
Other topics
The Albanian language information programme on MTV makes several reports this week from the village of Opaje in the Kumanovo area, and from Slatino and Neprosteno in the Tetovo area. These reports look at life in these villages after the war, with the focus on inter-ethnic relations. Comments from local Albanians and Macedonians indicate that they wish to see the restoration of the latter.
It also analyzes the current situation in the regions of Tetovo and Kumanovo by looking at mixed ethnicity schools, now that the new academic year is beginning.
Albanian language Radio Vati and Era TV concentrate on the situation in Macedonia, but mainly using agency news from the Macedonian Information Agency and other international news agencies.
The topic of alleged mujahedin involvement in the NLA is not as popular this week, although Sitel continues to pursue it. In addition, it broadcasts a text originally published in the daily Vecer, claiming that the NLA is also supported by Westerners.
According to the report, an American journalist has been fighting with the NLA. Since the story was first reported by Vecer in its September 29-30 weekend edition, Sitel has broadcast footage of the NLA disarmament, identifying him in a column of its soldiers.