“An interesting meeting,” was the brief comment of the facilitator of the negotiations the parties signed in the Przhino Agreement, Peter van Houte, about today’s talks discussing the situation in the media.
At the beginning of the meeting, Richard Bailey a media expert gave a presentation on the situation in the British Broadcasting Service “BBC “.
At the meeting of the working group were representatives of AJM (Association of Journalists in Macdonia) and MAJ (Macedonian Association of Journalists). AJM President Naser Selmani said AJM came out with five suggestions to reach a solution to the chaotic situation in the media.
” To start discussing this topic, first Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Pesevski should resign. Furthermore lawsuits against journalists from politicians has to stop because officials are in denial and correction as an opportunity open only to them. We proposed changes to the selection of the program management of the public service and asked for an immediate halt to political advertising on private commercial television. Without these basic changes we can not even begin to discuss a change in the media”, said Mr Selmani.
Ivona Talevska of MAN noted that this association came out with several requests at the meeting of the working groups.
“First we request that for smearing journalists reputations and credibility, longer sentences should be handed out to those responsible. Furthermore, the financing of the public service has to change and also another important is the issue portals, they too need to engage in existing laws covering the media”, said Ms Talevska.
