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Kosovo Media Appeals Board reviews case of Epoka E Re vs. Temporary Media Commissioner
PRISTINA 16 August 2001
PRISTINA, 16 August 2001 (OSCE) - Today, the Kosovo Media Appeals Board met to consider the decision of the Temporary Media Commissioner on 20 February 2001 to impose on the owner(s) and publisher(s) of the newspaper "Epoka E Re" a fine of DM 5,000 and the publication of an apology to Lufti Haziri and Sabit Rrustemi on the front page of the newspaper.
This decision against the newspaper was taken for having violated the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) Regulation 2000/37 section 4.1 and its associated Code of Conduct, by publishing on 25 September 2000 an article entitled "Lufti Haziri was released from prison after he gave important information on Agim Ramadani" in a context that resulted in his fear of injury.
The hearing was held in public upon the request of the respondent. Neither the appellant nor its legal representative appeared, although the newspaper "Epoka e Re" had been duly summoned. The Board heard submissions by Paul Motivans, the Senior Legal Advisor for the respondent, the Temporary Media Commissioner.
The Board was of the view that the article in question fell within the type of publications prohibited by section 4.1 of UNMIK Regulation 2000/37. The Board considered that it is obvious that, in this case, the individuals mentioned in the published article would face a serious threat to life, safety or security.
The Board considered that the Temporary Media Commissioner was right when determining that "Epoka e Re" had violated UNMIK Regulation 2000/37 Section 4.1 and its associated Code of Conduct. The Board considered that the Temporary Media Commissioner explained completely and correctly the reasons of its decision regarding the calculation of the fine of DM 5.000. The Media Appeals Board further concluded that the publication of an apology was well justified.
The Board decided to reject the appeal of "Epoka e Re" and to uphold the decision of the Temporary Media Commissioner dated 20 February 2001.
A full translation of the complete Media Appeals Board Decision may be requested from the office of the Temporary Media Commissioner.
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For further information, contact Ms. Laura O'Mahony, Press Officer, tel. (+381-38) 500-162 ext. 118, e-mail: press@omik.org.
This decision against the newspaper was taken for having violated the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) Regulation 2000/37 section 4.1 and its associated Code of Conduct, by publishing on 25 September 2000 an article entitled "Lufti Haziri was released from prison after he gave important information on Agim Ramadani" in a context that resulted in his fear of injury.
The hearing was held in public upon the request of the respondent. Neither the appellant nor its legal representative appeared, although the newspaper "Epoka e Re" had been duly summoned. The Board heard submissions by Paul Motivans, the Senior Legal Advisor for the respondent, the Temporary Media Commissioner.
The Board was of the view that the article in question fell within the type of publications prohibited by section 4.1 of UNMIK Regulation 2000/37. The Board considered that it is obvious that, in this case, the individuals mentioned in the published article would face a serious threat to life, safety or security.
The Board considered that the Temporary Media Commissioner was right when determining that "Epoka e Re" had violated UNMIK Regulation 2000/37 Section 4.1 and its associated Code of Conduct. The Board considered that the Temporary Media Commissioner explained completely and correctly the reasons of its decision regarding the calculation of the fine of DM 5.000. The Media Appeals Board further concluded that the publication of an apology was well justified.
The Board decided to reject the appeal of "Epoka e Re" and to uphold the decision of the Temporary Media Commissioner dated 20 February 2001.
A full translation of the complete Media Appeals Board Decision may be requested from the office of the Temporary Media Commissioner.
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For further information, contact Ms. Laura O'Mahony, Press Officer, tel. (+381-38) 500-162 ext. 118, e-mail: press@omik.org.