UNMIK/PR/353
Members of the Interim Administrative Council today met with some 20 editors and directors of Kosovo media to discuss violence in Kosovo. Media representatives presented their 15-point petition of 13 September called "Kosovo Media Against Violence," which had been published and broadcast yesterday.
All present re-affirmed their strongest condemnation of violence of all kinds, in particular the recent killings of journalist Shefki Popova and city planner Rexhep Luci. They also expressed concern at the disappearance of RTK journalist Marjan Melonashi.
The IAC and editors agreed that all possible measures had to be taken to eradicate violence and that Kosovo institutions, particularly law enforcement and the judiciary, needed to be strengthened and supported by the public.
IAC members said the media also had a responsibility to report fairly, without hate speech and unfounded allegations.
SRSG Bernard Kouchner told journalists after the meeting that the media should play a role in calming the level of violence by not reporting in ways that fuel antagonisms, and he called for a 'moratorium' on inflammatory reporting.
"We cannot impose it. It has to come from the media themselves, as freedom of press is one of UNMIK’s best achievements,” he said. "This way, we can go together to fair and democratic elections and then change the whole picture of Kosovo."
Kouchner also told reporters that local citizens must assist the police and judiciary in reporting crime and serving as witnesses: "It is unfair to blame UNMIK Police or the international community for the violence which comes from the roots of this society… Given that the UNMIK Police come from 49 nations without any knowledge of the ground or language, they are doing an extremely good job.”
The IAC members and media directors agreed to meet again to see how collaboration can be implemented. Today's meeting was an "important milestone on the road leading to tolerance," Kouchner said.
At its next meeting, the IAC will also discuss the draft regulation on construction, to be named after Rexhep Luci. IAC members had no objection to the SRSG's proposal that the IAC and joint administration continue the mission of Luci, the late Pristina Director of Planning, Reconstruction and Development, who had been implementing rules against illegal construction.