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Sunday, May 26, 2001
BEHIND THE NEWS
The case of Bojana L.
Television B92 surely did not enjoy having its editor-in-chief receive an award from a competing TV station, but perhaps it should be viewed as an endorsement of her merits, and endorsement of her station. Taking into account that TV B92 is applying for a national frequency, with six contenders for three spots, this station may now be disqualified from the race.
Recent presentation of journalism prizes of the Brothers Karic Foundation (who maintained close ties with the former regime) raised numerous questions in the Serbian public: a story of ethics, values, integrity, envy, betrayal, the first journalist victim in the war between private and independent media... Opinions are divided over which of the above is the key, but one thing's for sure: it's now the talk of the town, and everyone has their own take. Especially loud are those from RTS and other former state media.
Milivoje Glisic, one of the award winners, said for RTS that "the reading of Petar Lukovic's Danas editorial [chastising Lekic] word for word on the air reminded him of old methods of media reprisal in the state TV, the same practices that led to the murder of Curuvija." He also compared the "dirt" of Karics' wealth with the questionable "purity" of the Nobel Prize fund, profits of the inventor of dynamite.
It is interesting that with Lekic taking the spotlight, nobody is even mentioning the other two recipients: Manojlo Vukotic, editor-in-chief of Vecernje Novosti daily, and the abovementioned Milivoj Glisic, columnist of NIN weekly. Jovan Cirilov, president of the jury that selected the recipients told Glas Javnosti daily: "It never even occurred to me that this could happen when I decided that Bojana Lekic should receive the award. By no means is this a bribe for the future, but an award for her great achievements in the past." Of course, another oversight is that recipients were not decided by Karic brothers, but by a respectable jury of professionals. Karic only provided the funds, but who else would be able to give out such vast sums?
An official statement signed by Veran Matic, Editor-in-Chief of B92, states among other things that "Most people would agree that Bojana Lekic is one of the leading journalists in this country today. She never maintained close ties to any political parties, state institutions or powerful financial circles. She built her career completely separately from various influences. As a prominent TV journalist she had numerous attractive offers, especially after October 5, 2000. She, however, stayed loyal to our radio and TV station. Therefore, we see no reason to justify or explain her personal decision to accept the Brothers Karic award, nor to make any generalizations from this case. Negative attention in the media has prompted Bojana Lekic to resign from her post, in order to prevent speculations that could prove damaging for the station. The management of B92 is grateful to Bojana Lekic for her vital contribution to the development of Radio Television B92, and respects her moral act."
Bojana Lekic did not, however, fully agree with the station's official line. She told Beta agency that she had to resign under pressure. In her account, Editor-in-Chief of RTV B92 Veran Matic asked her to accept "a three-month leave or fellowship abroad. That is how my resignation was demanded," said Lekic, and described Matic's official press release as only half-truthful. She said that journalists of Radio B92 expressed their disapproval of her decision to accept the award. "The editors of Television B92 asked me to withdraw the resignation," points out Lekic. She concluded that she did not expect to "fight Veran Matic, whom she was previously ready to give her life for, if needed."
Twenty six journalists and editors of TV B92 signed a press release stating that the decision to accept the award is a personal one, and in no way does it endanger the integrity and credibility of RTV B92. "We condemn the crusade against Bojana Lekic initiated by certain journalists who assume the roles of judges and prosecutors," reads the press release. The signatories say they were not consulted nor even informed about her dismissal, and describe such behaviour of the management as "hypocritical and distasteful method to renounce Bojana Lekic." Journalists of TV B92 demanded from the management to sack Svetlana Lukic, journalist of Radio B92 for "engaging in the crusade against Lekic on-air and scandalously abusing the radio program." Journalists of Radio B92 should denounce her act, and management should look into the factors that forced such gifted journalist to leave.
"Besides, if General Manager and Editor-in-Chief thought that accepting the award would jeopardize the credibility of the company, they should have warned Lekic that she would be sacked, instead of congratulating her," said Jelena Kosanic, journalist of TV B92 for Glas Javnosti.
Veselik Vukotic, Editor-in-Chief of Blic daily, reacts that "only judicial authorities are capable of making judgments on journalists and citizens in general." He estimated that "people from various media whose conscience was not clear, assailed Bojana Lekic, and that is why she deserves his full support."
An announcement signed by the president and members of the Yugoslav Committee for Human Rights, states that "the case of Bojana's award causes difficulties and is an unpleasant confrontation with the widespread hypocrisy and double standards of those who somehow recently won the right of not having to justify their actions and behaviour, but only judge others." Biljana Kovacevic-Vuco, Dusan Janjic, Dusan Bogdanovic, Zarko Petrovic, Milan Simic and Sasa Savic ask: "is Lekic guilty for having defied corruption, for witnessing the weaknesses of others, or simply for being a woman."
Television B92 surely did not enjoy having its editor-in-chief receive an award from a competing TV station, but perhaps the whole affair should be viewed as an endorsement of her merits, and endorsement of her station. Taking into account that TV B92 is applying for a national frequency, with six contenders for three spots, this station may now be disqualified from the race. Perhaps that is precisely what bothered the manager of TV B92 in this whole business. Who is the winner and who is the loser here, you must decide for yourself. Whether journalism is the biggest loser, yet remains to be seen. Perhaps the whole case of Bojana L. is valuable for crystallising who is who and who costs how much.
Vladan Milicevic
Petar Lukovic on Bojana L. case
Betrayal! Betrayal!
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We'll review all responses
and publish the best one
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