09. 06. 2005

WHY IS DEPUTY MAYOR APOLOGISING?

All three episodes of the documentary series in ANEM production, whose authors are Svetlana Lukic and Svetlana Vukovic, were broadcast on TV B92. In his apology, the deputy mayor said that “this irresponsible and probably politically influenced episode has severely offended the religious feelings of the followers of the Serbian Orthodox Church, as well as the values of the open society guaranteed by the Constitution”. Milenic also stated in the apology that all local officials were concerned that the episode could satisfy the municipally-operated Radio Television Kragujevac’s criteria for content, quality and character of programs. On the other hand, RTV Kragujevac Editor-in-chief Gordana Mirovic told media that such reaction of the local authorities was a direct threat and pressure on media: “RTV Kragujevac has broadcast the first episode of the television series “Why people whisper in church” in ANEM production, and there was no negative reaction from the Church, the faithful or viewers. As for my decision as an editor to broadcast it, I thought it really intriguing, opening some crucial questions and provoking discussions. I believe we are an open television and we must not be restricted to what we can and cannot say for some reason, or to remain silent on something. That’s exactly why the documentary was included in our program scheme.” Milenic said that the authorities in Kragujevac had decided to take the issue of professional responsibility of the management of this public firm all the way. Speaking for B92, he tried to explain in whose name he had apologized to the Archbishop of Sumadija, and how the local politicians have the right to rate the contents of the series “Why people whisper in church”. “The assessment that ANEM’s series offend religious feelings is based on the expert analysis. The first episode evidently shows that the activity of the Serbian Orthodox Church was analyzed by certain individuals with certain opinion. It is also evident that representatives of the Serbian Orthodox Church and Ministry of religions refused to take part in the filming.” One of the authors of the series, Svetlana Lukic, commented this statement of Milenic saying that the authors have called the Church to participate. “They rejected our invitation, but that’s not our problem anymore. Secondly, two things seem to be obvious objectives of such observation. The first is the obvious settling scores with the local media. They specifically stated that they would use this to take the issue with the local media all the way. I am in contact with colleagues from local media and I know how pressured they are. On the other hand, their aim (of course this is only a presumption) is to prevent broadcasting of the second episode that deals with the role of the Church in the wars we hadn’t fought and which, in my opinion, reflects on the fact that the behavior of God’s emissary Gavrilo and blessing of “Scorpions” in front of the cameras is just the resumption of politics led by some bishops of the Serbian Church and some God’s servants during these wars. In this episode, we remind people not only of Bishop Garvilo, but also of Bishop Filaret, who was obviously an important role model and who prospered greatly during the wars. Before that, he was just a local priest. The episode also shows the famous photograph of Filaret in frock, holding Kalashnikov in one hand, and shepherd’s stick in other.” Management of RTV Kragujevac, Liberal Democratic Fraction and Serbian Civic Alliance protested strongly at the apology by the deputy mayor of Kragujevac Sasa Milenic to the Serbian Orthodox Church. The statement signed by the director of RTV Kragujevac said that Milenic’s apology was the most strenuous interference in the editorial policy of the station and most serious form of pressure on RTK, Beta reports. Both Liberal Democratic Fraction and Serbian Civic Alliance noted the obvious attempt of the local authorities to obstruct broadcasting of the second episode of the documentary series which questions the role of the Church during the wars and focuses on “dark” politics which some bishops follow even today. “This is just another unscrupulous attack on media freedom and editorial policy of RTV Kragujevac”, said in the statement of the two political parties. RTV Kragujevac Editor-in-chief Gordana Mirovic said that this television station would broadcast the second episode of the series “Why people whisper in church” on Thursday, June 9, despite the negative reactions of the local officials to the first episode, broadcast on June 2. Speaking for Radio Kragujevac, Mirovic said that her decision to continue to broadcast the television series was brought solely on the argument that RTV Kragujevac “must not be the media governed by restrictions and taboos”. (B92)