Second issue of “Quarterly Mediameter – Analysis of the print media in Serbia” was presented today in the TANJUG Press Centre, Belgrade.
Velimir Ćurgus Kazimir, editor-in-chief, said that the second issue of Mediameter represents the right time to check whether the model and methodology, which we applied in our efforts to obtain precise and objective image of the national print media in Serbia, are correct. He has ascertained that the questions asked and their answers are entirely in accordance with the results of the analysis from the first and second issue. Ćurgus noted that the increased number of analysed articles from the front pages of seven dailies is not only a consequence of the dynamics of our media scene and multiplying of the number of major events, but also of the lower number of holidays which significantly affected the number of selected texts in the first trimester.
Danica Laban, research methodologist, said that daily newspapers in Serbia have rigid concept and editorial policy, which can clearly be gauged from selection of topics that were chosen for front pages. She has ascertained that by comparative analysis of the first two issues we can deduce that all analysed newspapers represent actors and topics in the same way, which indicates that there’s no deviation from outlined editorial policy. Laban has underlined that topics that have a prolonged duration on front pages still have a clearly defined political connotation.
Dejan Vuk Stanković, author of discursive analysis, said that conclusions of discourse analysis from previous issue of Mediameter have been confirmed, i.e. that there exists a freedom of speech and expression. He pointed out that the contents of articles in weeklies are dominantly critical to the government. Stanković also said that the comments, columns and interviews mainly create negative images of political actors and often contribute to a variety of sharply conflicting interpretations of individual events and processes. He noted that construction of a negative image of the authorities is directly linked to radical critical review of the political agenda and practice of Serbian prime minister. This critical narrative is reflected in a series of qualifications: extreme authoritarianism, tendency of political and media manipulation, collapse of the relevant institutions, his disregard for the principle of separation of powers. Stanković said that the image of the opposition is mostly negative as well. Newspapers say that the opposition lacks the moral credibility and political clout, along with innovative political ideas and forms of communication with the public. It is also characterized by a shortage of new leaders.
In accordance with the results of the first issue of Mediameter, the largest number of articles on the front pages still features Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić (522), following actor is again President of the Republic of Serbia Tomislav Nikolić (239). Most articles about Vučić were published in newspapers Danas (121) and Politika (112), and the least in Informer (44) and Alo! (53). The largest number of positive articles about Aleksandar Vučić is found in the newspaper Informer, while the largest number of negative ones is found in the newspaper Danas. On the other hand, most positive articles about Tomislav Nikolić were published in Politika, and the largest number of negative ones in newspapers Alo! and Blic.
The study also found that the trend from the first quarter regarding the writing about the ministers in the Government of Serbia has remained partially the same. In this quarter, the largest number of negative articles was dedicated to Minister of Defense Bratislav Gašić, while the best represented minister is Ivica Dačić, Minister of the Foreign Affairs. Among opposition leaders, Vojislav Šešelj is most frequently mentioned. Boris Tadić has largest number of positive texts again, while Bojan Pajtić has the largest number of negative articles.
Among regional politicians President of the Republic of Srpska Milorad Dodik features most prominently (68), and he’s also represented in the best light (100% neutral value context), while the highest percentage of negative articles was recorded in regard to Albanian prime Minister Edi Rama (30%). Among foreign actors most frequently mentioned is Russian President Vladimir Putin (66). He is individually represented in the headlines almost as the three top officials of the EU together - Johannes Hahn (28), Federica Mogherini (24) and Jean-Claude Juncker (16). An extremely negative reporting on regional relations, constant reminder of the conflicts and unresolved issues characterized the second quarter of 2015: as much as 43.82% of articles about the region is negatively valued.
Based on the research, it can be seen that there are a worryingly few articles on the European Union (53), which is even less than the number of articles dealing with the church and religion (65). It is important to note that 28.3% of all articles on European Union have a negative connotation.
Research has shown that the number of articles with value judgment is constant since the beginning of the year, which represents the opposition to moral and professional standards. Articles with value judgment represent more than 50% of reports in newspapers Informer, Kurir, Alo! and Blic. The best example of this is the case of Omudsman Saša Janković: we are witnesses to the opened polarization of media. No newspaper has remained neutral, most articles have value context. As an illustration of the two extreme cases we can show newspaper Informer, which has 100% of negative articles, and newspaper Blic, which has 100% of positive articles about Janković.
Mediameter is a research and scientific-expert project, which, through the analysis of value judgments and through the discourse analysis monitors the development of the print media in Serbia. Mediameter is aimed at improving the professional and ethical standards of media reporting and analysis. The report is a scientific and professional support to all public policy participants, media, government, opposition, analysts and the public.
In this issue, articles from front pages of newspapers Politika, Večernje novosti, Blic, Danas, Kurir, Alo! and Informer from April to June 2015 have been covered. In discourse analysis, weeklies Vreme, NIN, Novi Magazin, Nedeljnik, Newsweek and Pečat is covered as well. The third issue of Quarterly Mediameter will be published in November.
