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Living without the services of a credible news agency is just not something a responsible editor could consider. Yes, they pay for those services, substantially for big publishers and broadcasters. But the fees are only rarely contested: at their best, news agencies bring invaluable services.
After fighting for months with politicians and government agencies Slovenian Press Agency (Slovenske tiskovne agencije - STA) director Bojan Veselinovic resigned this week (September 30). He had been presented with an agreement to end a long standoff with Government Communications Office (Ukom) over funding and practices. Mr. Veselinovic became STA director in 2009. (See more about news agencies here)
The impasse began in earnest after an STA report on a political event in October 2020 announcing developments in a power line project connecting Slovenia, Hungary and Croatia attended by Slovenian prime minister Janez Jansa and Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban. PM Jansa complained that the report’s text was insufficient, calling STA a national disgrace. STA’s statutory funding through Ukom was curtailed in July pending a new operating agreement. STA self-funded through fees to publishers and a public crowd-funding drive. The money ran out in September. STA was created in 1991. (See more about media in Slovenia here)
"I will never take part in trampling on the autonomy of journalists,” wrote Mr. Veselinovic with his resignation, quoted by news portal Druzina (September 30). “Basically, the dispute between the government and the STA has always been about its attitude towards media independence and an attempt to subordinate the agency. I cannot and do not want to agree to the conditions under which a government representative is forcing payment for a public service, which the Slovenian Press Agency has been performing for free for 273 days now. ”
“We see STA as one of the pillars of professional information for citizens, and we want it to be maintained,” said Slovene Journalists’ Union (DNS) in a statement (September 30). “Because the collapse of the STA does not mean only the loss of the jobs of journalists, but a gross intervention and upheaval in the wider media field.” The union has called for a nationwide strike by journalists in support for the STA.
“We regret and are watching with concern the latest deterioration in the situation," said European Commission spokesperson Christian Wigand, quoted by AP (September 30). "We call on the Slovenian authorities, the Slovenian Government, to take decisive steps to halt and reverse the current trend. Unfortunately, developments again show that the EU needs legislation to protect the freedom and pluralism of the media.”
Media development has a decades-long history. It is typically seen as part of broader international aid packages. Governments and funding sources with a certain idealogical bent have criticized the whole package as “nation-building” when bombs, they say, are more efficient at changing hearts and minds. On the other side, there is a widely perceived need to change the approach.
The long gestating International Fund for Public Interest Media (IFPIM) officially named well-respected media luminaries as co-chairpersons of the board. Philippine news outlet founder/editor Maria Ressa and former UK public broadcaster director general and New York Times Company chief executive Mark Thompson signalled several months ago their participation in the IFPIM project. The appointments are effective October 1. (See more about media development here)
IFPIM executive director is Sheetal Vyas, formerly director at Larry Ellison Foundation. “The International Fund makes supporting independent media simple, effective and most likely to develop the long term strategies that can address the business model collapse,” she said in a statement (September 30). The Funds’ outlined plan starts with support for investigative journalism, supporting independent public interest media through regional centers and supporting intermediary organizations “where legislative or other obstacles prevent support through regional centers.” The IFPIM strategy was drafted by BBC Media Action director James Deane.
From the outset the IFPIM avoids several long-held concerns about media development. The name stresses “public interest” rather than “public service,” who carries the connotation of public broadcasting and political interference. Grants will be provided “in,” rather than “to” low and middle income countries. Historically, grant funds can too easily buy yachts for politicians and oligarchs. It is very platform neutral, though there is a clear tip toward new media.
IFPIM projects will be oriented, according to previous documents, toward the Global South, largely Africa and Latin America. That avoids problem areas like Eastern Europe and, as seen recently, Central Asia. The head of programs is Khadija Patel, former executive editor at South Africa’s Mail and Guardian. Other media development agencies have also similarly shifted geographic focus.
IFPIM is looking to raise US$100 million by next year. Initial funding has come from Luminate Group, global philanthropy of Pierre Omidyar, founder of eBay, and BBC Media Action. The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Craig Newmark Philanthropies and National Endowment for Democracy have also contributed. Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors is a sponsor. The MacArthur Foundation is a longtime supporter of nonprofit media, including US public radio and television, as well as its annual “genius” grants.
H-Alter reporter Jelena Jindra wrote a series of articles between mid-July and mid-September questioning activities of the Zagreb Child and Youth Protection Clinic (Polyclinic) and its director Gordana Buljan Flander. Included was a personal statement critical of the Polyclinic from Croatian singer Severina Vuckovic. The articles caused public outrage for detailed descriptions of abusive treatment of children and their mothers during divorce proceedings proscribing outcomes favorable to fathers, including one who had committed murder. The series began with a report on child abductions.
Ms Buljan Flander asked Zagreb Municipal Civil Court Judge Andrija Krivak to issued injunctive relief prohibiting further reporting by H-Alter and removal of online material. The judge moved forward “in order to secure a non-monetary claim” without hearing from Ms Jindra, H-Alter’s director or the publisher. Under Croatian law “compulsory compliance” before a civil trial has never been used against media outlets and likely infringes on press freedom statutes. (See more about censorship here)
Zagreb Mayor Tomislav Tomasevic took matters in hand by dissolving the Polyclinic board, after which Ms Buljan Flander resigned on live TV. The Polyclinic is a municipal agency, the only child welfare agency in Croatia. “This is about the event itself, the court decision and the very act of seeking a court injunction to ban media from reporting about the Centre's work and its director in the future,” he said. “It has been condemned by all political actors in this country, from those in power to those in the opposition.” (See more about media in Croatia here)
H-Alter is a not-for-profit online news outlet published by the Association for Independent Media Culture. It received funding from the Croatian Ministry of Culture and Media until 2016. Statements of support also came from journalism advocates. “After years of witnessing SLAPP lawsuits against journalists, this time the judiciary went a step further and directly decided to silence the media,” noted the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) in a statement (September 24). “This direct form of censorship of critical journalism is deeply disturbing and must be lifted immediately,” added EF general secretary Ricardo Gutiérrez “The lack of transparency behind this decision – whether temporary or not – is unacceptable and sets a dangerous precedent.”
Tough times continue for publishers. Advertisers tired of paying high rates for space amidst cheaper digital alternatives. Paywalls and subscriptions have faltered as readers reconsider household budgets. Staff reductions - or threats thereof - have turned editorial staff into competitors. Politicians cast warily at support programs.
Some of Spain’s most important publishing executives have expounded on the current malaise to media news portal Dir Comfidencial (September 28). They are not happy with new, sometimes rowdy newcomers, or competitors flooding the field. Noting that the publishing market value has fallen by two-thirds since topping €3 billion a dozen years Prisa Media executive president Carlos Nunez groused that "the means have not only not been reduced, but have multiplied.” The “flourishing” new media is “economically irrational.” Prisa Media publishes national daily El Pais and others as well as operating several national radio channels. (See more about media in Spain here)
“Where do they get the funds… in a market they could not afford logically?” asked rhetorically - and darkly - Vocento Group chief executive Luis Enríquez, "There are origins of funds, public or private, interested in maintaining certain messages. What messages are being conveyed by the media that are receiving these funds to stay out of the logical market.” Vocento Group publishes several newspapers, including national daily ABC.
“There are too many players,” said El Confidencial columnist and adjunct president José Antonio Zarzalejos, and "what we are seeing is that there are still more players.” He called for “a catharsis.” The internet, “with few barriers to entry,” has created “forms of self-employment.” El Confidential is a digital-only publication founded in 2001.
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