Kosovo Temporary Media Commissioner orders DITA to suspend operations
PRISTINA, 27 July 2000 - The Temporary Media Commissioner in Kosovo, Mr. Douglas Davidson, Head of OSCE Media Affairs, has ordered the Albanian-language newspaper "Dita" to suspend operations immediately following its failure to pay a fine imposed for violating the Print Regulation.
On 4 July 2000, "Dita" published an article, together with a clearly identifiable photograph of various individuals, that included personal details about where two of those individuals currently reside. The article implied the two individuals were war criminals.
The paper received a written warning from the TMC two days later on 6 July that it had breached the regulation which prohibits the publishing of information which could put an individual's life or security in danger.
The newspaper's response to the warning was deemed unsatisfactory and, on July 20th, it was ordered to pay a fine of 25,000 DEM by July 25th. The fine has not been paid. As a result, "Dita" has now been ordered to cease operations immediately.
Under Regulation 2000/37, the Temporary Media Commissioner is authorized to impose sanctions ranging from written warnings to closure for breaches of the law. Should "Dita" fail to pay the fine or suspend operations, the Commissioner may request assistance from the law enforcement authorities to enforce his decision.
This is the second time "Dita" has been ordered to cease operations. The paper was first closed two months ago by executive order of the UN Special Representative of the Secretary General, Dr. Bernard Kouchner, after an individual named in an article published by the newspaper was found dead two weeks later.
Today's decision by the Temporary Media Commissioner is based on the Print Regulation which was signed by Dr. Kouchner on 17 June. "Dita" may appeal against the decision to close it as well as previous sanctions imposed to the Media Appeals Board.
For further information, contact OSCE Spokesperson Roland Bless, Tel: (+381-38) 500-162 or satphone: 871-762-009-948 ext. 260 / mobile: (+389-70) 250-576 / email: press@omik.org