Number 21. April The electronic version of the report is available at

Transcription

1 Number 21 MEDIA MIRROR April 2007 The electronic version of the report is available at Media Monitoring in the Republic of Macedonia, 2007/2008 Editor: Goran Stojkovski, M.A. Analysts: Biljana Mihajlovska, Daut Dauti, Marijana Markovic, M.A. and Goce Velichkovski, M.A. Monitors: Aleksandar Stevanovski, Aneta Necak, Vasil Astalkovski, Nagip Salja, Sultana Culeva NGO Info - center: Gradski zid, blok 8, 1000 Skopje; tel/fax: (02) ; contact@nvoinfocentar.org.mk; info@nvoinfocentar.org.mk

2 CONTENTS 1. Introduction 3 2. Media Approach to Social Political Events and Manner of Information General Conclusions Comment on Media Approach to Topics 4 3. Specific Aspects of Individual Media Coverage Television Broadcasters 8 A1 TV 8 Kanal 5 TV 9 MTV 1 10 MTV2 (Programme in Albanian) 11 Sitel TV 11 Тelma TV Daily Newspapers 13 Vecer 13 Vreme 13 Dnevnik 14 Utrinski vesnik 15 Fakti 15 Spic 16 APPENDICES 17 Intensity of Publication of Material per Media 18 Media Monitoring in Republic of Macedonia 2

3 1. INTRODUCTION "Media Mirror" is a programme for continuing monitoring of the media in the Republic of Macedonia, which aims to provide a clear picture of the professional standards and criteria of reporting applied by the media, but also on the manner in which they cover and interpret the key social processes and events. A special methodology was devised for the purposes of this monitoring, the first of its kind in the country. The methodology was tested by a team consisting of an editor, four analysts and five monitors. The results of the monitoring are listed in this report that covers the period from April 2 to April 29, The monitoring included six daily newspapers and six national television broadcasters: Vecer, Vreme, Dnevnik, Utrinski vesnik, Fakti, Spic, A1 TV, Kanal 5 TV, MTV 1, MTV 2, Sitel TV and Telma TV. The media were selected for the monitoring on the basis of the perceived influence they have, or may have, on the general public in the Republic of Macedonia. The applied methodology shows whether the media treatment of the events is thorough, moderate and balanced; whether the journalist texts and stories are supported by precisely named and identified sources; whether they consulted all sides involved in conflict situations; whether they avoid making arbitrary comments and evaluations; etc. In addition, the analysis explores the manner in which the information is presented (scope, time, source and placement); whether it was accompanied with appropriate illustration; what was the treatment given to diverse political options and personalities, the divers ethnic and cultural values, through the use of terminology and language; how did they use the journalistic genres and whether there were and what were the differences between the monitored media in terms of presentation of same events or phenomena. At the same time, the monitoring analyzes any eventual positioning of the media towards the government, the opposition, various ethnic communities, political platforms or beliefs. The subject of this analysis was the media treatment of: 1. Government policies and practicing of power 2. The international integration issues involving the Republic of Macedonia: EU A total of 1127 published items were analyzed during the period covered by this analysis: text, illustrations, cartoons and comics, articles in the central news programmes covering the said topics. The commercial political advertisements, public statements and announcements were not subject to this monitoring and analysis. 2. MEDIA APPROACH TO SOCIAL POLITICAL EVENTS AND MANNER OF INFORMATION 2.1. GENERAL CONCLUSIONS The firing, i.e. Reshuffle of employees at the European Integrations Sector of the Government of Macedonia was the event in the focus of media attention, but also the event that provoked intensive commentary and opinions by the press. Even in the headlines of articles and leads to stories reporting on the events and developments in the Sector of European Integrations, it is evident that most media are strongly critical of Government's actions. It was, indeed, the personnel changes in the Sector that was the issue given prominence in the reporting on the meeting between European Commissioner Ollie Rehn and Vice-Prime Minister Gabriele Konevska Trajkovska, in Brussels. Media Monitoring in Republic of Macedonia 3

4 Most media expressed their concern that the Government implements policies that, judging from reactions in Brussels, have negative impact on the progress of European integration processes in Macedonia. The break-up of PDP-DUI coalition and the idea presented by PDP's leader to unite the Albanian political bloc into a "unity group" were the events in the focus of media attention. The breakup of the coalition, according to the media, results from the efforts of VMRO-DPMNE and DPA to win over the three MPs from the PDP in order to secure the votes necessary to adopt the legislation that needs the Badintaire Majority. The media concluded: The ruling coalition can expect to gain one vote for some laws with the inclusion of PDP, but it will remain noted in history as a missed attempt to revitalize certain residual policies that have proved to be obstacle to social processes in the past. Although some Macedonian language media rooted for PDP and openly supported its attempts to leave the coalition with DUI, another group of media, among them the Fakti daily in Albanian, strongly and intensively criticized Abduladi Vejseli, the PDP President, for his decision to join the Government. The actions of Menduh Thaqi, MP from the DPA were also in the centre of media interest during this period. In addition to being criticized for the break-up of the DUI-PDP coalition ( And this Menduh Thaqi, who is still to spare a person of calling him 'member of UDBA' (former Yugoslav secret police), Vejseli among them, how will he now convince the members of his party that Vejseli did the good thing and joined his ranks?"), Thaqi was noted as the "culprit" behind the case of "banned theatrical play on Tito", i.e. he orchestrated the resignation of Ilirijan Beqiri, the Minister of Culture ( Thaqi succeeds in his game to eliminate the potential candidates for presidency of the party prior to its congress ). This case didn t pass without negative consequences on the public image of Government in general: we don t exclude the possibility for this case (the ban of Tito Safe Diagrams of Yearning play) to find its place in the report of the European Commission, to come this Autumn, which will detect all weaknesses in Macedonian progress in the context of definition of start of negotiations date" Comparative Data on Reporting of Social-Political Topics For a detailed statistical breakdown of each media's coverage of a given topic, see the appendix to this Report (Table on Intensity of Publication of Materials Per Media in the Analyzed Period) COMMENT ON MEDIA APPROACH TO TOPICS Government Policies and Practicing Of Power The break-up of PDP-DUI coalition and the idea presented by PDP's leader to unite the Albanian political bloc into a "unity group" were the events in the focus of media attention. The break-up of the coalition, according to the media, results from the efforts of VMRO-DPMNE and DPA to win over the three MPs from the PDP in order to secure the votes necessary to adopt the legislation that needs the Badintaire Majority. The media were divided in the assessment and interpretation of that development: а) a group of media that have positive opinion of the break-up of the coalition, some of them even rooting for Abduladi Vejseli, the PDP leader, to join the Government; b) a group of media that strongly and intensively criticize Vejseli s move; and c) a group of media that treated the event purely from informative point of view. Vecer daily presented the events related to PDP's leaving the coalition and the internal turmoil in the party both in a partisan manner and with concrete support for PDP to enter the Government Media Monitoring in Republic of Macedonia 4

5 coalition (April 5, 2007; April 14, 2007). Some headlines were critical of those in the party that didn't accept the decision of the leadership to leave the coalition With DUI ( Gostivar Branch Fakes a Breakup in PDP, April 12, 2007). A similar line was followed by Sitel TV, which explained that "PDP is a relevant factor, regardless of how many MPs it has, i.e. it is pragmatic and prudent of every ruling coalition to weaken the opposition by attracting one of its members, regardless of its size" (April 12, 2007). MTV1 was also positive about PDP's entry into the ruling coalition and assumed that such a move would be followed by other political parties, thus providing support for legal projects that need to be voted according to Badintaire's principle (April 18, 2007). The fact that PDP left the coalition was presented with some criticism of the two of its three MPs, i.e. the "Bexheti-Neziri tandem", for their disagreement with the presidency of the party and the role they played in the changes of the Government-opposition ratio in the Parliament (April 10, 2007). A completely opposite opinion was presented by the second group of media, which not only didn't hold Vejseli's move in high regard, it openly criticized it. The Fakti daily in Albanian also paid great attention to the one-sided break-up of the DUI-PDP coalition by Vejseli. The paper intensively criticized Vejseli over his willingness to enter Nikola Gruevski's Government: The political services that PDP delivers with great difficulty, I have to say, remind me of services one gets in a brothel" ("What Price did you Get, Abduladi Vejseli", April 14/15, 2007). Fakti offered a rather grave criticism-warning: The ruling coalition can expect to gain one vote for some laws with the inclusion of PDP, but it will remain noted in history as a missed attempt to revitalize certain residual policies that have proved to be obstacle to social processes in the past. How can a Government hope its policies will be efficient if the Prime Minister is lied by his advisors that see hope for Badintaire in Abduladi's 'bread-spread politics'?" ( What is the latest meaning of breadspread, April 21/22, 2007). Fakti, however, didn t spare DPA either: And this Menduh Thaqi, who has not spared a person from calling him or her UDBA-man, including Vejseli,... How will he convince his party colleagues that Vejseli did the good thing by joining his ranks?" ( How Much did you get, Abdulhadi Vejseli, April 14/15, 2007; DPA is not Democratic, April 13, 2007 and DPA Can t Deliver on its Promises, April 14/15, 2007). The decision to leave the coalition was interpreted by Utrinski vesnik as Vejseli s personal decision, motivated by his craving of power and act of a man with little moral integrity". PDP's entry into the Government is seen as an instrument that will provide the Government with Badintaire's majority ("PDP organizes a wedding without a bride ; PDP with one MP will negotiate a coalition with Gruevski, April 11, 2007). According to Spic, the events surrounding PDP are a result of political game-play and the struggle for supremacy between DPA and DUI ( Thaqi and Ahmeti Tear PDP to Pieces ; April 11, 2007; Dialogue on Two Tables, April 14-15, 2007). The initiative by Gruevski to secure the Badintaire majority was treated even jokingly by Spic, so that the article on negotiations on PDP's entry into the Government was titled as if it was a personal advertisement, such as I trade... for... : I Trade a Minister for 'Badintaire'!" (21/ ). The resignation by Minister of Culture Ilirian Beqiri also caused much media attention. Almost all media (with a couple of exemptions) believe that the Minister was a victim of policies designed at higher places". In that context, "Dnevnik" daily believes that the case of the play about Josip Broz Tito was "just the immediate cause of internal cleansing in DPA, especially with the party congress looming around the corner" ( The Marshall made a Beach Landing against DPA, April 2, 2007). The resignation was seen by "Utrinski vesnik" as "...Thaqi's successful game to eliminate the potential competition for the presidency of the party before the party congress ( Resignation for a small earthquake in DPA", April 3, 2007). Vreme, too, believes that this is political scam designed to use the discrediting of Beqiri and his resignation to weaken the position of the "DPA's informal leader, Mahmuti, who allegedly stands in Thaqi's way regarding his ambition to inherit Arben Xhaferi's position" (April 12, 2007). "Fakti", on the other hand, recommends to Arifikmet Xh i, the new Minister of Culture, to "Keep Kuzman Reigned In" 1 (April 13, 2007), and listed the following priorities: Dealing with archaeological excavations in the Skopje (Kale) and Ohrid Fortresses, the gaining of 1 This refers to Pasko Kuzman, Director of the Bureau for Protection of Cultural Heritage of the Republic of Macedonia. Media Monitoring in Republic of Macedonia 5

6 official status for the House of the Kumbari, the Gateway into the Old Bazaar in Skopje, the reconstruction of Mother Theresa s house in the place where it once stood... Still, the most impressive (and concerned) commentary came from A1 TV: we don t exclude the possibility for this case (the ban of Tito Safe Diagrams of Yearning play) to find its place in the report of the European Commission, to come this Autumn, which will detect all weaknesses in Macedonian progress in the context of definition of start of negotiations date" (April 2, 2007). Similar to its comment about the play, A1 TV commented on the dialogue (the negotiations between VMRO-DPMNE and DUI): Will Gruevski sign a new document to end the political dialogue with Ahmeti?, i.e. is another framework agreement lurking about Does that mean a new Framework Agreement? (April 27, 2007). In that context, the editorial office believes that the dialogue between VMRO-DPMNE and DUI is a game of nerves" in which "no ground is given", but the negotiators "are afraid to give up because of foreign pressures" (April 16, 2007). The concern over the problem with DUI remains, the boycott of the Parliament is the key point around which the NATO membership spins", therefore, the Prime Minister is pressured by time and openly seeks help from the U.S. (April 23, 2007). In addition to the political dialogue, A1 TV relates the NATO membership to the forthcoming visit by U.S. President Bush to Albania and Bulgaria, but not Macedonia ("Is there any hidden message in the fact that he chose not to visit? Is this a case of elegantly neglecting and ignoring Macedonia?", April 27, 2007). Not even Sitel TV and "Vecer" daily, which continually support the Government, spared the ruling majority and one manner of practicing of power from criticism: With their strong criticism, Sitel TV and "Vecer" demonstrate intensive negative attitude towards Stojan Andov. Andov was under fierce attack over his statement about all categories of citizens covered by the proposed lustration legislation. His views are caricatured in the Sitel TV news and he is called "the provincial teacher", "son-in-law of a communist official", "comical character - inspiration for a comic book and stand-up comedians" (April 12, 2007). "Vecer", on the other hand, compares Stojan Andov to St. Ignatius Loyola, the supreme magistrate of the Inquisition in the 16th century. The article s suggestive headline, also on the front-page, Andov Went on Witch and Pensioner Hunt/Stole called Loyola is not satisfied with job half done (April 13, 2007), illustrated with a cartoon depicting Stojan Andov standing in front of medieval torturing equipment. Macedonia and EU The firing, i.e. reshuffle of employees at the European Integrations Sector of the Government of Macedonia was the event in the focus of media attention, but also the event that provoked intensive commentary and opinions by the press. Even in the headlines of articles and leads to stories reporting on the events and developments in the Sector of European Integrations, it is evident that most media are strongly critical of Government's actions. It was, indeed, the personnel changes in the Sector that was the issue given prominence in the reporting on the meeting between European Commissioner Ollie Rehn and Vice Prime Minister Gabriele Konevska Trajkovska, in Brussels. Sitel TV reports ( Sitel learns... ) that...there is personal disappointment in the European Commission caused by the changes in the Secretariat for European Affairs, but Brussels can't comment openly" (April 4, 2007). A1 TV reported that Vice-Prime Minister Konevska-Trajkovska promoted a recently employed person and asked: Are there double criteria at the Sector for European Integration? ; Konevska promoted one worker to the position of head of budget office in a manner similar to the one used by her predecessor Sekerinska (April 11, 2007). On the basis of anonymous letter it received, A1 TV reported that after the latest changes, "there is no enthusiasm, working atmosphere and that personnel is demoralized, lethargic, lacks ideas and directions, regular meetings. It also happens that employees that worked for several years on particular issues are transferred to tasks outside their specialties", as well as that there are "really comical situations" (April 10, 2007). Media Monitoring in Republic of Macedonia 6

7 Anyway, during the whole period covered by this report, most media coverage was dominated by opinions that The Government left the Sector in disarray, the changes in the Sector are not well liked in Brussels, while Ollie Rehn warned the Vice-Prime Minister about possible negative implications. This happens only days after a report of the Council of Europe criticised the country about politization of administration. Further more, there are comments that Party seals won't result in a visa for Europe and that Brussels demands information on changes in SEI ( Utrinski vesnik, April 4, 2007 and April 17, 2007; Dnevnik, April 10, 2007 and April 11, 2007; A1 TV, April 3, 2007). In that context, Spic also brought up the question of EU's pre-accession funds, as well as the adoption of legislation compatible with EU's acquis. Both aspects are explained by the daily with the insufficient personnel and expertise of the Government: We won t so much as touch the European funds, Don't we know how to write European laws?", "Macedonian ministries don't know how to harmonize the laws that are priority for the European Union and need to be adopted by the Parliament as soon as possible (April 18, 2007). Dnevnik reports a claim that Brussels views the high public ratings of the Prime Minister as a right time to implement unpopular reforms. One such unpopular step, for example, is the strengthened dialogue with DUI ("Ratings or Oil", April 23, 2007). Utrinski vesnik, on the other hand, assesses the problematic dialogue between Gruevski and Ahmeti as a factor with negative impact on Macedonian changes to enter NATO. Gruevski is seen as a prime minister who demonstrates agility on unimportant fields, while delaying the procedures that take us closer to NATO ( Balkan Spite more important than NATO, April 25, 2007). The Government is criticized by Vreme daily for its manifested behaviour and the results on several fields: the insecurity of the Government (when the Government says definitely it means "it is not for sure"), the equality mark between the Government and Prime Minister ( this Government = Prime Minister ), unrealistic promises ( we will show = we will make sure that you forget"), more marketing than real activities ("we have strategy" = we have a campaign" and "the Government implements activities = the Government implements campaign ), its treatment of political dialogue ( The dialogue started = this is only for the foreigners ears ), ( 5 Reasons: Why do we need to learn the new slang?, April 28, 2007). Having in mind that, during this period, the most intensive activity of the Government related to Macedonian relations with EU was the completion of negotiation on relaxed visa regime, a major part of the articles were dedicated to this sub-topic. In that regard, the criticism was distributed among several entities, including the EU. Dnevnik indicates that the international factor manifests actions that don t correspond to past promises for relaxation of the visa regime and places Macedonia in the same hat with the former YU republics that don't even have the status of candidate for membership ("EU forgot about our status of candidate", April 4, 2007). "Vreme" criticized the way in which foreign embassies treat Macedonian citizens, quoting a number of unnamed citizens who discuss their own adventures in consular departments and the variety of requests and requirements asked off them ( The Macedonian Golgotha in front of Embassies/ Only well equipped can succeed in getting a visa, April 2, 2007, and One of the requirements for Macedonian citizens / For EU visa you need to disclose your private bank accounts, April 13, 2007). Macedonia in a Schengen-Inflicted Isolation... EU insists on the Schengen wall at times when its own internal borders are matter of the distant past" (A1 TV, April 12, 2007). In the article titled The State fears the Albanians" (April 14/15, 2007), "Fakti" daily in Albanian reviews the problem from a different angle. Macedonia was the first country in the Western Balkans to start the negotiations with the EU to relax the visa regime, but the resistance of the negotiation team to sign the readmission agreement, as required, made Macedonia the last of the four Balkan countries to initial the agreement on the visa regime" 2. On the other hand, in the article Look who talks European Integration (April 21/22, 2007, p. 15), Fakti believes that the more we talk about the road to Europe, the farther away from us it is, or, to put it better, we move farther away from it". The daily 2 The daily believes that the Macedonian negotiating team, in fact, feared the readmission agreement for the possibility of eventual return of Kosovo refugees that moved to the West-European countries from Macedonian territory during the 1999 NATO intervention in former FRY. There is also the fear, Fakti believes, of the eventual return of Macedonian Albanians who immigrated in the early 1990s, during the break-up of former Yugoslavia. Media Monitoring in Republic of Macedonia 7

8 asked (and answered at the same time) the question Did you ever wonder what being integrated in Europe means for a Macedonian politician? It means that you could get photographed with statesmen from big and important countries. That photo they can distribute to the media to prove the support of the West they enjoy.... Similar to Fakti, Vecer daily was interested in other aspects of Macedonian relations with the EU than the changes in the Secretariat and the negotiations on the visa regime. "Vecer's" attention focused on the relations between Macedonia and Greece and the name dispute between the two countries, as well as Macedonian relations with Bulgaria regarding the ban to hold a memorial ceremony on the grave of Jane Sandanski. In the daily's view, the Greek Foreign Affairs Minister, Dora Bakoiani, was "angry" and "nervous". The most explicit criticism of Greek policies was presented in an article titled Just to Spite Greece, Macedonia all the way to America / 11 settlements in the world are named Macedonia (April 18, 2007), accompanied with illustration: a globe with 11 flags marking the places named Macedonia, augmented with other suggestive illustration map of unified Macedonia, emblems with the name Macedonia and the flag with the Vergina seal. The ban of the memorial ceremony on the grave of Jane Sandanski, issued by Bulgarian authorities was treated by Vecer in particularly negative light. In general, the daily criticized EU political figures for their decisions to admit Bulgaria to full membership ( I am not surprised by the Bulgarians, but I stand amazed by the visionary statesmen of the European Union, whom they have picked to tango and who they chose as partners... ( On Rozen as on a Spit!, April 21, 2007). 3. SPECIFIC ASPECTS OF INDIVIDUAL MEDIA COVERAGE The analysis used six factors in the treatment of selected material (text/stories, illustration, comics, cartoons), to determine the specific aspects characteristic of each individual media: 1. The approach to the analyzed topics (number and intensity of published materials, their scope, placement in the pages of the print media or the broadcasting schedule); 2. The genre structure and characteristics of the article or textual unit; 3. The correlations header-headline-lead and text-illustration [lead-storyfootage]; 4. Sources of information; 5. Actors and protagonists; 6. Treatment of facts TELEVISION BROADCASTERS A1 TV The dominant place in A1 TV reporting is given to Government policies and exercise of power, treated in 80% of the articles included in this analysis, with the main emphasis on the political dialogue between the Government and DUI-PDP coalition. A1 TV covers most events with stories structured as reports, but of various character descriptive reports (reforms in education, investments, public relations activities of the Government...) or opinionates and suggestive reports (political dialogue, diplomacy, European integrations...). Such an opinionated and suggestive character results from the opinions presented by the authors of the stories, but also from opinions and judgment presented by invocation unnamed sources. The accompanying elements (general lead, lead announcement and the headline) are used primarily to provide summary of the contents of the actual story, or to emphasize a part of it. The opinionated and/or suggestive character of the articles is usually reflected in the lead announcements and, to lesser extent, the headlines and general leads. The topics and thematic areas subject to this analysis rarely receive top billing, and are customarily aired between the fourth and the eight spot in the news programmes. The visual footage and illustrations are used for their descriptive function. Named sources are quoted directly, their statements are filmed, while information coming from speculative sources are illustrated with footage of events and institutions with great power of association, without emphasis on an individual person that would create a direct link with the unnamed source used. Media Monitoring in Republic of Macedonia 8

9 The information on given events (above all, the political dialogue and European integrations) coming from named sources are often augmented with opinions and suggestions received from unnamed, speculative sources. Such information coming from speculative sources demonstrate that the broadcaster is close to persons and entities willing to present their views but not to reveal their identity ("diplomatic sources in Brussels who insist on remaining anonymous"). Some sources are nominated in too vague and general terms ( Brussels ) so that it remains unclear whether the broadcaster presents its own views or just reminds the audience of previously released views of relevant (Brussels-based) entity, without mention of the identity and the exact time when such a view may have been expressed originally ("Brussels finds all changes of personnel trained in EU funded training programmes unacceptable, including the officials that carried the weight of implementation of European standards who were replaces just because of their close relations to certain political structures"). The opinions and suggestions on different persons and events are usually moderate in tone and approach. A1 TV doesn t take sides in the disputes of covered persons and entities. To the contrary, certain phenomena are cause for criticism of all involved parties (the government, the opposition and EU on Schengen inflicted isolation ; the Prime Minister and the President on the cold war regarding the ambassadorial appointments). The broadcaster doesn't neglect or minimize the coverage of positive events (for ex., the relaxation of the visa regime). However, far more numerous are the events and moves, usually of the Government, which it finds objectionable (for ex., the double standards applied to the personnel in the Sector of European Integrations, the situation in Macedonian diplomatic services, the game of nerves that VMRO-DPMNE and DUI play...). The critical position is often created indirectly, with use of suggestively phrased questions ( Does this mean a new Framework Agreement? - on considerations whether the negotiations between the Government and DUI should result in an official document; "Is there a concept in Macedonian diplomacy" - on vacant ambassadorial offices; "What is the background, the hidden message in the fact that he (Bush) won't visit us? Is this a case of elegantly neglecting and ignoring Macedonia?" - on the decision of the U.S. President George Bush to visit Bulgaria and Albania, but not Macedonia). Depending on the circumstances, A1 TV treats the facts differently some are presented neutrally, some are moderately evaluated and assessed, some are evaluated by speculative sources, some of them are interpreted in a suggestive fashion. KANAL 5 TV Kanal 5 TV aired the greatest number of articles dedicated to Government policies and practicing of power. The editorial office manifests critical position towards the current Government activities in all areas of social and political life (April 2, 2007; April 11, 2007). The political dialogue was seen as "confusing, with many turning points", while the participants were seen as "being inconsistent in terms of their views and statements (April 5, 2007; April 17, 2007). The break-up of the PDP-DUI coalition was seen as illustration of DUI s falling influence regarding the negotiations with VMRO-DPMNE (April 11, 2007), while the authors of the majority of stories and reports predicted the "certain entry of PDP in the ruling coalition" (April 13, 2007). This broadcaster dedicates special attention to the personnel changes in the Secretariat of European Issues. Although such reports present the views of both the Government and the opposition, it was still evident that the statements and views of the opposition, i.e. SDSM President Radmila Sekerinska, were given priority (April 3, 2007; April 10, 2007). One characteristic genre form used to present information is the report. In many stories aired during this period there was significant presence of editorial opinions and predictions on possible turn of events (April 19, 2007). Sometimes, the lead announcements are used to give the authors opinions and interpretations of events and to emphasize those segments of a given story that would confirm the conclusions places earlier (April 2, 2007; April 17, 2007). Media Monitoring in Republic of Macedonia 9

10 With the exception of the stories dedicated to political dialogue, in which the authors often invoke unnamed sources, the remaining coverage is characteristic for the clear and precise naming of the sources. During this period, there was a strong criticism of Minister of Health Imer Selmani (April 2, 2007; April 16, 2007), who was seen as a "trouble-maker" (April 23, 2007). Prime Minister Gruevski is also exposed to constant criticism (April 28, 2007). Similarly, albeit to a lesser intensity, the broadcaster holds the work and activities of Minister Gligor Taskovic in a negative view (April 11, 2007). In general, the editorial office presents the facts correctly. However, there is a notable tendency to assess and interpret the facts in leads to the stories, which makes an impression of an attempt to impose a certain perception of reported events (April 2, 2007; April 27, 2007, item No. 3). MTV 1 The best covered events under the general topic of Government policies and practicing of power were the political dialogue, the break-up of the PDP-DUI coalition and the preparations for PDP s entry into the Government coalition. MTV1 had a positive view of the coming entry of PDP into the ruling coalition and assumed that this would attract other political parties, thus securing the support for the legislative proposals that have to meet the requirements of the Badintaire principle (April 18, 2007). Also, PDP joining the Government was followed with prognosis about the number of offices that would go to its representatives, as well as the possible influence that PDP could have on DUI MPs in terms of them defecting to the government, i.e. transfer from DUI to PDP (April 19, 2007). With the topic of Macedonian relations with the EU, the articles dedicated to the relaxation of visa regime dominated the coverage, together with personnel changes in the Secretariat for European Integrations and the visit of Vice-Prime Minister Konevska-Trajkovska to Brussels. The most commonly used were informative genres, but there was notable presence of genre forms of reportage and commentary. The editorial office clearly favours the Government. Positive assessments were in place on all events related to Government activities, in all areas of social and political life (April 13, 2007; April 24, 2007). The leads to the stories provide a summary of the main topic covered, but they are often used by the authors to present their own views of the events (April 25, 2007). One characteristic of this media s coverage is the clear and precise naming of sources it uses. Nonetheless, on a number of occasions the naming was rather vague sources inside the PDP, sources in the Government, etc. (April 18, 2007; April 19, 2007). An article giving prediction on who might become the new Minister of Culture, no source for the information was named (April 3, 2007). During this period, there were many articles that put the personality of the Prime Minister Gruevski in idealistic light, presenting him as a "man of the people who works with dedication to solve their problems" (April 3, 2007; April 14, 2007), or as "literature lover" (in the context of his visit to the Book Fair, April 20, 2007). Most events related to implementation of Government policies are presented in a biased fashion, with positive assessment, while simultaneously pushing the criticism coming from the opposition to the side (April 24, 2007; April 18, 2007). Only in the case of the negotiations on relaxed visa regime and the personnel changes in the Secretariat of European Integrations did the broadcaster present the views of both the government and the opposition in a balanced and neutral manner. The facts were presented in their original form, followed by assessment of their meaning. Media Monitoring in Republic of Macedonia 10

11 MTV2 (PROGRAMME IN ALBANIAN) MTV2 Programme in Albanian paid the greatest attention to government policies and practicing of power, during this period it focused especially on the reforms in education and the resignation of Minister of Culture Beqiri. Reports were the dominant genre form used to cover most events. The broadcaster also preferred the use of news, based on statements of its sources. This monitoring registered several interviews, too, for example, the interview with Minister of Education Rushiti. The analysis didn t note any serious deviation in terms of professional standards, regarding the textual units or the audio-visual packaging of stories. One negative exception was the phone report by the broadcasters Tetovo correspondent on the meeting of the Municipal Council discussing the decision to rename streets and squares in the city, adopted with the application of Badintaire Majority. The editorial office also preferred to use named official sources, without engaging in speculations about the information they provided. MTV2 demonstrated no open support for individual political figures or entities. Nonetheless, when reporting on the competition for employment of Albanians in the state administration, it indirectly praised and supported such a move by the Government (April 3, 2007). The general impression was that the facts were free of additional comments. The only exception from that approach was made in the support of the broadcaster for the changes in the Law on Higher Education, designed to legalize 2,500 diplomas issued by the former illegal Tetovo University (April 17, 2007). SITEL TV Sitel TV focused its attention mainly towards government policies and practicing of power. The broadcaster dedicated full attention to almost all moves and actions of the Government. Some events even merited more than one article, in order to promote and strengthen the positive public image of the Government (for example, the articles on the high public ratings of the Government and the Prime Minister). The events are covered with reports, news and statements. During this period, several interviews were aired, too, in which the journalists adopted diverse approaches to the topics they covered descriptive, neutrally toned questions (for ex. With minister of Justice Manevski) or questions occasionally based on speculations (for ex., with PDP Leader Abduladi Vejseli). The descriptive character of some articles was, at times, overshadowed by the lengthy opinionated leads, while on other occasions they used speculative sources whose assessments, suggestions and prognoses dominate both in terms of quantity and quality. Such opinionated leads were rather rare, but make strong impression because of the intent of the commentator to use them to influence the perception of facts listed in the corresponding article. So, sometimes the attention is directed towards some of the facts, with the intention to glorify a given subject (the importance of Societe General for Macedonian economy), while at times the essence of the facts is changed through degradation of the person that presents those facts (the background of Stojan Andov and his views on lustration). The stories are based on information coming from clearly named sources, their statements quoted directly or in indirect speech, without additional comments. Speculative sources were used in the reporting on the negotiations for PDP s entry in the Government. Some of those stories and reports are based primarily on speculative sources, or no sources are listed at all. Sitel TV maintains its constant positive view of the government, expressed primarily through the sheer quantity of coverage dedicated to its activities and the moderately positive assessment and opinions about those activities. Occasionally, the positive view is constructed through repetition of certain facts, for example, the latest polls on the public ratings of politicians favourable to the Media Monitoring in Republic of Macedonia 11

12 Government and the Prime Minister. The broadcaster said it was "unique and curious" fact that, after nine months in office, the public ratings of the Government still rise and emphasized that Gruevski s is the highest rating of any Macedonian politician ever, but also the highest public approval of a Prime Minister anywhere in the region". In addition, it suggested that the rising public ratings of DPA should motivate DUI to return to the Parliament. The treatment of PDP was indirect, presented through speculative sources and mostly reduced to suggestions and speculations that the party will surely enter the Government, but won t get any portfolio if Vejseli failed to bring with him at least two MPs as dowry. The said opinions and suggestions were largely moderate in tone. One exception of that approach were the strongly positive opinions of "Societe General" and the emphatically negative, malicious views on Stojan Andov ("provincial teacher", "son-in-law of communist official", "comical character"), whose statement on who should be covered by the lustration was compared to a satirical sketch. The facts were presented neutrally in the informative articles, without additional assessment and evaluation. The correct approach to reporting deviates in the opinionated leads mentioned above, which attempt to influence the perception of facts through redirection of public attention to a part of them. ТELMA TV Practicing of power and government policies was the dominant topic of interest for Telma TV news. Special emphasis was placed on the relations inside the ruling coalition (the evident dissatisfaction of NSDP) surrounding the establishment of an Institute for Protection of Cultural Heritage of Albanians, the political dialogue, the street names in Tetovo. Reports, news and statements were the main genre forms used by Telma TV to cover the events. Articles were mainly descriptive, with rare exceptions that mixed in the opinionated character (April 2, 2007; April 3, 2007; April 24, 2007). Such exceptions cover events such as the changes in street names in Tetovo and the use of Badintaire majority in the vote of the Municipal Council. Telma TV's coverage is noted for the evident professional engagement of its journalists - multitude of sources, adequate illustration with sound and picture, emphasis (without interpretation) of the main points in the leads to the articles. To secure more comprehensive coverage, Telma TV uses information received from more sources from all interested sides in an event. This analysis didn t note any manipulation with the received information. The treatment of actors involved in the events is neutral and unbiased. This analysis didn t note an inclination with the editorial office to support an individual person or entity, although some events and developments are placed in a context that is not favourable to the Government and the Prime Minister (April 2, 2007; April 3, 2007). On the other hand, there was no negative attitude towards any person or entity. Telma TV is not satisfied with the level of cooperation between President Crvenkovski and Prime Minister Gruevski, resulting in their absence from the funeral of former Russian President Yeltsin (April 25, 2007). The broadcaster also reprimanded the Public Relations sector of the Ministry of Health for its selective treatment of the media - in this case Telma TV itself (April 24, 2007). There was notable neutral treatment of facts. Media Monitoring in Republic of Macedonia 12

13 3.2. DAILY NEWSPAPERS VECER Two aspects related to the topic of government policies attracted the daily s attention. The first aspect was the break-up of DUI's coalition with PDP, and the daily provided concrete support to its participation in the Government (April 5, 2007), with additional speculations about possible defections of DUI's MPs to PDP, and made assumptions about which offices could they get (April 11, 2007; April 19, 2007). The second aspect is the political dialogue (rather speculatively presented), frequently invoking unofficial information, vaguely named or unnamed sources (April 18, 2007; April 28, 2007). The analysis of articles dedicated to the dialogue, the way "Vecer" presents them, lead to the impression that this process is in its final stages, i.e. that compromise should be expected very soon on all open issues (April 18, 2007; April 27, 2007). On Macedonian relations with EU the daily s coverage was limited, but the articles were professionally prepared and written. Some of those articles explicitly criticize the Greek policies regarding the name-dispute with Macedonia, while especially negative opinions were presented on the decision by Bulgarian authorities to prohibit Macedonian organizations there to hold a memorial ceremony on the grave of Jane Sandanski in Rozen (April 18, 2007; April 21, 2007). News and reports were the dominant genre forms. Most articles published during the period covered by this report contain editorial comments on events and involved actors (April 2, 2007; April 26, 2007). Majority of headlines are formulated as a comment and are often biased contain opinions and openly take sides ("The Ministry of Health is Evil Step-mother to Dishonest Dentists / No More Money for Nothing, April 28, 2007; DPA Marks Greatest Rise in the Polls DUI s Punishment for Leaving the Parliament / Government - Opposition 29:10", April 4, 2007). The sources of great number of information are listed as: Vecer learns, and it also uses the phrase "we learn unofficially". With the exception of ministers Lazar Elenovski and Vera Rafajlovska, who are targets of permanent criticism, all other members of the executive branch of government are assessed positively. Rather peculiar and to some extent comical, but still unprofessional, was the presence of an article dedicated to the Draft-Law on Lustration, proposed by Stojan Andov, in which he is compared to St. Ignatius Loyola, the supreme magistrate of the Inquisition who lived in the 16th century (April 13, 2007). On most articles, the facts are placed by "Vecer" selectively, or in the context of the conclusions made by the journalists. Also, the facts may not be listed at all, although they are interpreted and commented on. VREME The topic of practicing of power and government policies was represented in a greater number of articles. Although it dominates compared to European integrations, neither of the two topics really dominates the general coverage of this daily newspaper, having in mind that the front-page and the first couple of pages are usually dedicated to events (corruption and criminal affairs) not directly related to the topics subject to this analysis. The articles are mostly descriptive reports and news. A smaller portion of reports are of opinionated character which is defined: a) directly through the editorial opinions subtly expressed in the given article; b) indirectly judging from the accompanying elements (headlines, illustrations, captions) with opinionated and suggestive contents. Media Monitoring in Republic of Macedonia 13

14 There are fewer headlines with opinionated and/or suggestive contents, compared to previous analyzed periods, but they are still prominently used as instrument designed to attract the attention or the emphasize various views and estimates not so explicitly present in the actual article. Only a fraction of analyzed articles received front-page treatment. The visual illustration mainly consists of realistic photographs, occasionally augmented by opinionated captions. There were rare edited and retouched photos (for example, a path to EU and NATO made of Easter eggs, as illustration for the headline Walking on Eggs to EU and NATO ) and photos use for their power of metaphor (for example, a cross and a minaret, to illustrate the headline Let s Leave It to the Children to Learn and Decide What to Believe") which dominate both in terms of quality and quantity. Some articles contain tables and graphs to allow for easier overview of facts. Vreme mainly relied on information it received from clearly named sources, directly quoted. The unnamed sources are used commonly to present information on events on which no official information is available, but not with intent to manipulate the facts. According to Vreme s vaguely named sources ( there are rumours in the halls ), the resignation of Minister Beqiri was a clear case of political framing, intended to weaken, though his discrediting and resignation, the positions of the "informal leader of DPA" Bardhyl Mahmuti, who "allegedly stays in the way for Thaqi's ambition to inherit Arben Xhaferi". In the reports, the views of almost all persons and subjects were presented without additional comments. The Government is the usual target of assessments and comments in editorials. Vreme openly supported the reforms in all levels of education, with emphasis on the need to introduce religious education in elementary schools. With a certain dose of irony, the daily criticized the new political slang, the new-speak of Gruevski of the Government, i.e. government ministers who hide what they think and do (or not) behind the phrases they use. Vreme offered very subtle criticism of the Government for its treatment of European integrations, i.e. the rash actions ("The attempt to violate laws of nature will only bring more disappointment and frustrations") and clumsy behaviour ("the way we are, jumping so high, we can do nothing but trouble") in the attempts to enter into the European family. The facts are presented descriptively and neutrally in the informative articles. DNEVNIK The topic of Government policies dominates the coverage, compared to Macedonian relations with EU. Both topics, on the other hand, are dominated by the interest in the issue of political dialogue between VMRO-DPMNE and DUI. Commentary/reports are far more present in the coverage of government policies, while informative articles are used more in the treatment of Macedonian relations with EU. There were several interviews, too, made with persons active on the political scene, but also persons in the public focus during the given period of time. The informative reports mainly present a description of the facts, which is not the case with the commentary/reports. Such reports are dominated by their opinionated and judgmental tone. The coverage is dominated by headlines that provide summary of the main topic of the corresponding article. The daily often carried headlines with suggestive overtones. The articles with suggestive contents and character are accompanied, almost without exception, with boxed features used to emphasize the main subject matter, a realistic photograph with metaphorical meaning that dominates the text. Such articles are regularly accompanied with one or two boxes that function to direct the readers attention towards the message that the author wishes to convey. Vaguely named sources of information are commonly invoked in articles reporting on negotiations and deals between the parties. The use of vague information often turns into speculation. The daily prefers to report on various actors involved in events correctly and neutrally. Their statements may be quoted directly or presented in indirect speech. It happens, though, that when an actor is discussed, he or her not to be quoted. That is usually the case with Ali Ahmeti. Media Monitoring in Republic of Macedonia 14