PRESS RELEASES, DECLARATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Vienna, 25 Januar 2011
A delegation of the South and East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), including representatives from the International Press Institute (IPI), will begin a four-day Press Freedom Mission to Croatia on 25 January 2011.
During their visit, the Press Freedom Mission will meet with Croatian President Ivo Josipovic, as well as a broad array of representatives of media professionals.
Self-censorship, pressure by advertisers and political groups, threats against journalists, especially investigative reporters, the situation of the public broadcaster, and other problems media professionals face in their daily work are the topics high on the agenda.
SEEMO Secretary General Oliver Vujovic, who will lead the Press Freedom Mission, said: “The main aim is to obtain clear feedback about the media situation and media developments in Croatia.”
Vujovic added: “Croatia, which is on its way towards the EU, must provide a positive example with regard to media developments and journalist professionalism, and this is the message we want to set during our visit”.
IPI Acting Director Alison Bethel McKenzie said: “As Croatia prepares for EU accession, the International Press Institute (IPI) is hopeful that this mission is the beginning of a strong relationship with the media and government stakeholders in the country.”
Vienna, 13 April 2011
The South and East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), a network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in South East and Central Europe and an affiliate of the International Press Institute (IPI), has announced its planned events and activities for 2011:
21 April 2011: Deadline for submitting entries for the Beta News Agency Photograph of the Year Award and SEEMO Human Rights Photo Award.
16 – 20 May 2011: SEEMO Istanbul Media Days, Istanbul, Turkey. The event is organised by SEEMO and Bilgi University (Istanbul, Turkey) in cooperation with the Department of Communication of the University of Vienna, Austria.
19 May 2011: Presentation of the SEEMO Human Rights Photo Awards at the New Moment Gallery, Belgrade, Serbia.
25 May 2011: Deadline for submitting nominations for the 2011 Dr. Erhard Busek SEEMO Award for Better Understanding. The call for competition opened on 22 March 2011.
26 – 27 May 2011: Workshop on Public Relations and Media, Ljubljana, Slovenia. The workshop is organised by the South East and Central Europe PR Organisation (SECEPRO), International Media Centre-Slovenia and Vienna-based SEEMO, in cooperation with the Central European Initiative and the City of Ljubljana.
27-30 June 2011: II South, East and Central Europe Investigative Journalism Days, Belgrade, Serbia. The workshop is supported by the Austrian Development Agency.
5 -9 September 2011: SEEMO Press Freedom Mission to Montenegro.
1 September 2011: Deadline for submitting nominations for the 2011 Central European Initiative (CEI) – SEEMO Award for Investigative Journalism. Call for nominations starts in June.
10-14 October 2011: SEEMO Regional Conference on Media, Gender and Minorities, Tirana, Albania. In cooperation with the Austrian Development Agency.
28 October 2011: Presentation of the 2011 Dr. Erhard Busek SEEMO 2011 Award for Better Understanding. The ceremony takes place in Vienna, Austria.
10-11 November 2011: V South East Europe Media Forum (SEEMF). Location to be announced. Presentation of the 2011 CEI- SEEMO Investigative Journalism Award.
20 -22 November 2011: SEEMO Press Freedom Mission to Kosovo.
24 -25 November 2011: News Agencies, New and Old Media in South East and Central Europe, SEEMO regional conference, Pristina, Kosovo. In cooperation with the Austrian Development Agency.
5-9 December 2011: SEEMO Press Freedom Mission to Serbia.
10 December 2011: Presentation of the SEEMO Human Rights Award.
SEEMO regular publications:
South, East and Central Europe Media Handbook includes information and media contacts from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Belarus, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Kosovo, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Turkey and Ukraine.
Annual publication since 2003, the Handbook – in both print copy and, more recently online form- have been supported by the Central European Initiative, Austria´s Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs and the Erste Foundation.
De Scripto magazine – four issues per year – is published in cooperation with the University of Vienna. In 2011, De Scripto will focus on Bulgaria, Istanbul Media Days, Kosovo and Slovenia. The issue dedicated to Slovenia will include a special report on the recently inaugurated International Media Center in Portoroz. Each issue is produced in collaboration with a local university.
Additional publications and events will be announced in due time. For any additional information on SEEMO activities, conferences, publications and events, please contact: info@seemo.org
Vienna, 09 May 2011
The Istanbul Media Days is the first multidisciplinary media event designed for students, journalists and the public at large. From 2011 onwards, it will be held annually in Istanbul, Turkey. This event will address the diverse challenges facing contemporary media and provide a platform for debate and the exchange of experiences.
The First Istanbul Media Days, scheduled to take place from 16 to 20 May 2011, is organised by the Vienna-based South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO); Faculty of Communication, Bilgi University, Istanbul, Turkey; Institut für Publizistik- und Kommunikationswissenschaft, Vienna University, Vienna, Austria; Austria Kulturforum in Istanbul and Turkish Committee of the International Press Institute (IPI).
Influential Turkish and international media experts, journalists, business and NGO representatives will deliver speeches, followed by discussions.
In addition to the Second Istanbul Media Days, to be held in 2012, SEEMO will initiate similar projects with other universities and partners. The First Belgrade Media Days, scheduled for 2012, will take place in Belgrade, Serbia, in cooperation with the Singidunum University.
For further information, details and to register, please contact info@seemo.org or visit the website: www.istanbulmediadays.org
Vienna, 20 May 2011
The first conference of the South East and Central Europe PR Organisation (SECEPRO) will take place in Ljubljana, Slovenia on 26 and 27 May 2011. It will focus on the Future of Public Relations and the Media Business, including PR Education and PR Networking.
SECEPRO is an independent, non-profit network of media experts and PR professionals in South, East and Central Europe.
Founded in cooperation with the Vienna-based South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), an affiliate of the International Press Institute (IPI), SECEPRO is the only PR platform in the region. It aims is to facilitate collaboration and exchange among journalists and public relations, advertising and marketing agencies.
The first SECEPRO conference is organized in cooperation with the Trieste-based Central European Initiative (CEI), SEEMO and the International Media Center-Slovenia, based in Portoroz.
The event is expected to attract numerous professionals from the region. Zoran Jankovic, the mayor of the city Ljubljana, will inaugurate the event with a welcome dinner for all the participants.
Samra Luckin, the director of BORAM, a PR agency from Sarajevo, Bosnia Herzegovina, Mitja Mesol from the International Media Center-Slovenia, and Oliver Vujovic, SEEMO Secretary General, will chair the conference.
Introductory speeches will be delivered by Gordana Vilovic from the University of Zagreb, Thomas Bauer from the University of Vienna, and Marko Milosavljevic from the University of Ljubljana.
Vienna, 27 June 2011
The Vienna-based South East Europe Organisation (SEEMO), supported by the Austrian Cooperation Eastern Europe – Austrian Development Agency, and in cooperation with the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Mission in Serbia, the International Press Institute (IPI) and the International News Safety Institute (INSI), announces its annual meeting of journalists dedicated to investigative journalism: The 2nd South, Central and East Europe Investigative Journalism Days.
The 2nd South, Central and East Europe Investigative Journalism Days will take place in Belgrade, Serbia, from 27 to 29 June 2011, and will focus on corruption.
The Conference will cover a variety of topics related to investigating corruption, personal security, reporting on extremist politicians – as well as a training session.
Speakers include prominent international journalists and media experts who have firsthand experience in investigative reporting, both on the international and local level. SEEMO registered more than 120 participants.
Serbia´s president Boris Tadic will address the conference on 29 June 2011.
For additional information, contact krasi@seemo.org or kristina@seemo.org
AGENDA
Vienna, 30 September 2011
The Vienna-based South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), an affiliate of the International Press Institute (IPI), will visit the Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) from 4-6 October 2011.
The purpose of the visit to is to acquire a better understanding of the media situation in the country. During the past years, and especially since the beginning of 2011, SEEMO has received complaints regarding political and economic pressure on media outlets.
SEEMO, a leading regional media organisation of editors-in-chief, media owners, media CEOs and prominent journalists in South, East and Central Europe, defends press freedom and promotes quality journalism.
The seven-member delegation will meet the country´s President, Gjorge Ivanov; Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski and his team; the Head of the OSCE Mission, Ralf Breth; Austrian Ambassador Alois Kraut; and more than 30 media representatives including owners, directors, editors-in chief, journalists, media experts, NGO representatives, and other professionals.
The head of the SEEMO delegation is Oliver Vujovic, SEEMO Secretary General.
SEEMO will publish a report after the mission.
Vienna, 28 Ostober 2011
The Vienna-based South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), the Central European Initiative (CEI) from Trieste, Italy, and the Media Program South East Europe of Germany’s Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) are pleased to announce the V South East Europe Media Forum (SEEMF) in Belgrade, Serbia, from 2 to 3 November 2011. This year’s forum will analyse problems and perspectives of media pluralism, media market and business models in the region.
The conference will be inaugurated by Serbia’s prime minister, Mirko Cvetkovic.
During the two-day conference, to be attended by more than 200 participants from 20 countries, Polish journalist Kalicki Wlodzmierz will be presented with the CEI SEEMO Award for Outstanding Merits in Investigative Journalism 2011. Special investigative journalism diplomas will be given to Artan Hoxha (Albania), Dijana Suboticki (Serbia), and Matej Surc and Blaz Zgaga (Slovenia).
SEEMF aims to promote exchanges and networking among media executives and leading journalists in the region. Previous SEEMF events took place in Zagreb (2007); Sofia (2008); Tirana (2009); and Budapest (2010).
In addition to SEEMO, CEI and KAS, the partners for the V SEEMF are: The European Broadcasting Union (EBU); the OSCE Mission to Serbia; the South, East and Central Europe PR Organisation (SECEPRO); the International Media Center; and Raiffeisen Bank International.
more on www.seemf.org
Vienna, 11 November 2011
The Vienna-based South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), an affiliate of the International Press Institute (IPI), will visit Montenegro from 8 to 10 November 2011.
The purpose of the visit to is to acquire a better understanding of the media situation in the country. During the past years, SEEMO has received complaints regarding political and economic pressure on media outlets.
SEEMO, a leading regional media organisation of editors-in-chief, media owners, media CEOs and prominent journalists in South, East and Central Europe, defends press freedom and promotes quality journalism.
The seven-member delegation will meet Prime Minister Igor Luksic, Deputy Minister of Culture Zeljko Rutovic, Ambassador Leopold Maurer, head of the EU delegation to Montenegro, and Deputy Head of the OSCE Mission Ms. Waldemar Figaj. In addition, the delegation will meet more than 30 media representatives including owners, directors, editors-in chief, journalists, media experts, NGO representatives, and other professionals.
The head of the SEEMO delegation is Oliver Vujovic, SEEMO Secretary General.
SEEMO will publish a report after the mission.
Tirana, Albania 24-26 October 2011
Conclusions
Following discussions during the conference on “Media, Minorities, Diversity”, held in Tirana, Albania, from 24 to 26 October 2011, and organised by the South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), with support of the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), and in cooperation with Albania Media Institute and the International Media Centre (IMC), the participants concluded:
1. Many politicians and media representatives in South, East and Central Europe have difficulties accepting diversity: gender, sexual, religious, ethnic, political, etc. Hate speech, stereotyping, negative profiling and discriminatory language have not died out. It has subsided but is widely present. The targets are diverse: lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community; ethnic minorities; religious groups; women; neighbouring countries and nations; etc.
2. Although hate speech has many targets, some communities are targeted more often than others. In case of South, East and Central Europe, the LGBT community is targeted in a more degrading way than other groups. Roma have often suffered.
3. Neither governing parties nor mainstream media seem to have a long term vision of the type of society that should be created in terms of incorporation off all citizens, independently of their sexual orientation, ethnic or religious belonging. While legislation may be in place, often as a result of international agreements and even pressure, their implementation is not guaranteed. Hate speech is generally tolerated especially on web portals and among readers’ comments. As a result, there is a spill-over effect between the hate speech in public arena and news reporting. That is, most media simply reflect what is said, without taking a stand or condemning. Even public broadcasters are not immune to these practices.
4. Civil society organisations are not strong enough to defend the interests of different groups. Yet, some groups have better representation than others.
5. In many countries, legislation prohibits discrimination on sexual, gender, ethnic or religious grounds. Yet, implementing international standards and recommendations in daily life and especially in media is proving to be a real challenge.
6. Public at large is often unaware of the exact meaning of discrimination or hate speech. The latter concept is sometimes misused to denote political criticism.
7. Discriminating language, stereotyping, negative reporting is both overt and sophisticated. Both are dangerous. One adjective can change the meaning of a story: portraying sexual orientation as unnatural, a specific ethnic group as violent, a particular religion as uncivilized, women as sex symbols, political opponents as traitors, to give a few frequent examples.
8. Minority groups do not constitute a homogeneous community.
9. Yet, as the conference demonstrated, if civil society groups unite, nationally and regionally, they can all gain and better influence editorial policies; demand the change of government policies; increase pressure to gain public support, etc.
10. Public debate is lacking in all areas of discrimination. Some groups, however, as for example the LGBT community, have additional challenges: they fear to go public with their demands. It suffices to recall that in most South, East and Central European countries gay parades faced numerous problems.
11. Many editors and journalists lack sufficient training in how to report on diversity and minorities.
12. The existing minority do not have the outreach mainstream media have.
13. Minority media need public financial support in order to survive. They are too small in order to generate profit and operate commercial basis.
14. Roma media need special support, national and international, both in terms of funding and capacity building.
Recommandations
1. Education is the first step in combating hate speech and accepting diversity
2. While media reflect what politicians say and politicians quote media, this chain has to be stopped. Educating editors and journalists can be the first step.
3. Workshops, training sessions and conferences should be organized-each format has its advantages-in order to train, exchange information and share both bad and good experiences, as well as best practices.
4. Civil society groups representing different minority communities should be included in training and developing training materials. Networking is a key to overcoming stereotyping as well as combating intra-minority prejudices.
5. Public has to be educated. Yet, in order to engage in educating the public, media, as the main source of information, should be educated first. Inappropriately led and presented debates can create damage.
6. Education and training should encompass different categories of minorities: each has specific problems and sensitivities.
7. Creating international networks, especially in the geographic area with similar historic and cultural heritage, can have a positive effect: most countries compare themselves primarily with their neighbors; learning experiences and exchange of information can be more productive among the societies with similar experiences. Imported experiences are often looked upon and lack the local perspective that is essential in designing appropriate programs.
8. Media should make sure that international standards and recommendations in dealing with diversity are respected by politicians and by their colleagues in journalism. All media – mainstream and minority – have to follow professional and ethical standards.
9. Guidelines for reporting diversity exist. Yet, they have to be adapted to South, East and Central Europe. Imported standards often neglect local experiences and sensitivities.
10. SEEMO should facilitate international and regional networking of minority and diversity media.
11. Considering the Roma experience in and with media, SEEMO should adopt a medium-term strategy in support of Roma media and start organizing Roma Media Days on annual basis.
12. While the role of mainstream and minority media is essential in overcoming hate speech in its different forms, politicians also have to play an active role in combating discrimination, stereotyping, and negative portrayal of different groups as well as avoid inciting hatred or violence on any sort.
Pristina, 24-26 November 2011
Conclusions
Following discussions during the conference on “News Agencies and New Media in South-East and Central Europe”, held in Pristina, Kosovo, from 24 to 26 November 2011, and organized by the South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) with support of the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and in cooperation with Kosova Press news agency, OSCE Mission Kosovo and South East and Central Europe PR Organisation (SECEPRO), the participants concluded:
1. News agencies in South, East and Central Europe experience serious problems related to the protection of copy rights. Web portals frequently use news agencies’ articles without quoting sources or paying for the material. As a result, news agencies suffer financial losses.
2. Most news agencies face financial problems. In order to diminish costs, many agencies, especially the private ones, are forced to reduce staff. Consequently, both quality and quantity of produced information are affected.
3. At the same time, the number of online portals has been increasing. Since most of them reproduce the information without quoting sources, agencies’ losses have been increasing.
4. Regional online media market has been growing due to the sharp increase of Internet users.
5. In order to reach new audiences, news agencies have been expanding their services. Some have introduced cell-phone and tablet applications which the users can upload free of charge.
6. The online media are becoming increasingly important as news distributers: they gather and disseminate information a lot faster than traditional media. Their free-of-charge news services contribute to acquiring wide-range of readers.
7. However, online media news providers cannot substitute electronic and print media. Although they can continuously distribute information, their quality is often beneath professional standards: news items are often unchecked and background information is lacking. Print and electronic media still have an important role to play: they provide background information and analysis.
8. In order to remain in business, news agencies seek to adapt to the changing media environment by expanding their services. Their objective is to provide information as well as knowledge.
9. Although online media are cheaper to run than the traditional ones, the shrinking advertising market threatens the survival of smaller players.
Recommendations
1. Copyright protection should be legally guaranteed and their violation sanctioned.
2. News agencies as well as traditional and online media should adapt to the new market demands and search for new ways to attract readers.
3. Technological innovations have to be adopted. Lagging behind may imply financial and market losses.
4. Online media should improve the quality of their content in order to attract advertisers and increase revenues.
5. News agencies could develop new services, such as the creation of data bases for journalists and other users.
6. Changes in the media market are durable. Media have to invest in continuous innovation in order to stay in the market.
7. Public has to be educated in the use of online media.
8. The misuse of online media should be prevented through adequate sanctions. Regulations should be put in place that sanction the use of Internet for child pornography, and combat the promotion of violence and extreme ideologies, hate speech, etc.
9. Through self-regulation web portals should bear the same responsibility for the content they distribute as traditional media.
10. The same professional standards should be applied for online and traditional media.
11. Regional cooperation, exchange of information and good practices should be promoted. SEEMO can facilitate the networking. SEEMO has supported the establishment of the Association of Private news Agencies and will be using its aggregated experience in order to further regional networking.
News agencies and new media in South, East and Central Europe share common characteristics and thus can support each other in their aspiration to better regulate the market and copyright protection.
12. SEEMO does not support any form of state control of media, including online media. Self-regulation bodies should be established in order to regulate online media. Self regulatory bodies should be monitoring internet portals and decide if they violate the internationally accepted standards.
13. SEEMO condemns different forms of state pressure on internet users, like controlling users’ data, unless there is a well-founded suspicion of criminal activity. SEEMO is concerned that in some countries, private email messages can be read without court orders, which violates the right of privacy.
14. Better protection should be guaranteed for all internet users, including within the Wireless local area network (WLAN). This is the responsibility of web portal owners. Currently, it is possible to monitor what other WLAN users have on their screens, read emails or follow social network activities, by using rather simple software.
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