– In the past ten days, we have tricked and panicly reacted, exceeded Montenegrin for the media and the NGO sector, have succumbed to numerous semi-efficiates and political spins on what the suspension of American donations could mean for BiH’s future. Now is the time for all this to rationalize, put in a constructive frame and look for long-term solutions – says Rudić.
First of all, she said, it should be clearly said that USAID assistance and other US sources were suspended for three months, not permanently suspended. True, U.S. President Donald Trump, his radical moves and decisions suggests a complete suspension of American donations around the world, creating a new World Order and a completely different role in the world.
– But, on the other hand, we also testify to that policy through the decisions of the Supreme Court, the activities of unions, independent institutions, public … should wait for the final outcome of all these turmoils, and only then conclude. Also, it should not be forgotten that the previous media and the NGO sector in BiH faced the change of donor policy and reducing donations – says Rudić.
It recalls three large “migrations” donors from BiH that occurred during the World Economic Crisis in 2008. year, and in the time when Kosovo became an independent state.
– We thought that with Pandemia Covid -19, the ruin of all of us came, a large number of donors moved to Ukraine by starting the war in that territory. Some of the days have reduced the approved precipitation for 50 and more processors to reduce the money to redirect for the Ukrainian media and the civil sector. We survived all this, I believe that there will be so now, but with much more of our reasonableness and rational behavior, the unification and joint action of the media and the NGOs available to the sources of donor funds, “Rudić said.
According to her, excessive focus on the media and the NGO sector, “Losters”, but also to their followers and bots, the reason for invading the industry towards independent media, as targeted by public opinion in connection with the number of numbers Donation and amounts of funds allocated to the media and the civil sector. The space for “shooting” of the media and non-governmental organizations was created.
Rudic emphasizes that Milorad Dodik was done at the press conference in Banja Luka, opening “hunting” on journalists and civil society activists, but similar Hitterski approaches also imposed in the Federation.
– I point out this time “advertising” from Prison Fadila Novalić, former Federal Prime Minister, defendant for more crimes. So the media published a comment on a man who is in prison where he supports the penalty, which is for a special investigation of prison services, and is subject to the fact that some media will survive without American donations!? I ask the question with the media and colleagues from the media, which is the relevance and public “weight” of the Kosovo’s social networks, in order to publish this comment with the fact that a number of media may not survive without American donations?! Rudic said.
He believes that one of the directions of action should be aimed at the deconstruction of political manipulations that they are funded by American aid funded for the most part or only the media and the NGO sector.
– It is simply not true, and the media should finally explain to their audience that the authorities received hundreds of millions and and billions of dollars from American funds. Where is that money? What is it invested for? Was there any abuse of these donations for personal enrichment of individuals in government, their families and friends? This should be the topics of all media in BiH. Because, this whole chase on the media and the NGO sector in both bh. Etitette and especially in Republika Srpska, the fear of the highest functions is justified, and the media and the successful and policies and the judiciary, begin to ask and explore for the abuse of donations and from the US funds, but others – Rudić.
And finally says it would be very bad that the media and non-governmental sector, in care for survival, pours under the skill of power and panic goes from one minister, Prime Minister or their assistants, seeking emergency financial assistance.
– It would be very bad that professional independence and work in the public’s interest, sacrifice for temporary resolution of emptiness that will arise if American assistance is completely suspended. Therefore, it is not a long-term solution to accept money that will be at the provision of political independence and professional reputation. It is my opinion to make the most perfectly and the longest solution to be fashioned by the Fund for Media Pluralism and strengthening journalism in the public interest. The formation of that Fund BH journalists have advocated since 2016. by the decision of its financial sustainability through the redirection of the annual surplus revenue of the regulatory agediation for the communications (cancer). This excess revenue is partially achieved by paying the media for licenses, penalties, fees, etc., and the largest part of cable operators and telecommunications companies. However, the redirection of excess that achieves the annual cancer would be the most reconcile move of BiH and its entities and signs as they want to preserve the independent media and civil society for EU integration – said Rudić in a phen conversation.
(Vijesti.ba/fena)
