30 September 1993

Doc. 6947

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 354

by Mrs FISCHER

on the situation of the media in former Yugoslavia

Mrs FISCHER,

      Considering that;

1.       The media operating on the territory of former Yugoslavia share responsibility for the origin and development of the conflicts raging there, and will also have a central role in any solution to those same conflicts. The chances of lasting peace in the region require the existence, among other things, of the free circulation of information and of independent media;

2.       The Ministers' Deputies have already adopted a package of priority measures for independent media in former Yugoslavia including in particular support for the Co-ordination Centre for Independent Media in Ljubljana as well as training activities for media professionals;

3.       The news concerning the situation of the media in former Yugoslavia is becoming increasingly alarming. The violation of the rights of journalists, infringements of the principle of independence of the media and the shortage of material has led to a situation that can be described as disastrous: disturbing information has come out of Kosovo concerning the repression of the media using the Albanian language; the question of the pluralism of the press remains a cause for concern in Croatia; problems have also been highlighted in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia; and in Bosnia-Herzegovina a handful of journalists risk their lives in an attempt to continue to circulate information,

      To ask the Committee of Ministers,

whether, confronted with this tragic situation, it is in a position to consider providing rapid and effective support to independent media in the former Yugoslavia, in particular:

i.       by taking a very firm stance against violations of freedom of expression and infringements of the principle of the independence of journalists in former Yugoslavia;

ii.       by stepping up its co-operation and assistance activities in the field of the media concerning specifically former Yugoslavia, to ensure that greater support is given to independent journalists in former Yugoslavia;

iii.       by developing, in addition to these activities and as a complement thereto, operational means to offer the most effective help to independent media in former Yugoslavia, taking account of the various actions already undertaken on the spot, in particular by non-governmental international organisations active in this sector.

      Signed:       FISCHER