Activity Details (ID# 3202)

Activity Synopsis

The objectives of the meeting were to:
• provide a basis for sustainable regional understanding and co-operation between public opinion leaders (editors-in-chief of the largest newspapers);
• improve the mutual media coverage of the two countries;
• promote the direct exchange of information;
• overcome the use of stale negative stereotypes when portraying the neighbour. 

Before the meeting, a report was prepared on “The image of Albania and the Albanians in the Bulgarian Media from 1993-2003”. This report was presented to the participants who were editors-in-chief and leading journalists from the most influential Bulgarian and Albanian media.

An open discussion took place in a spirit of good will. It focused on the importance of a constant exchange of information between colleagues in order to overcome outmoded stereotypes related to the image of the neighbour. Topics of a strictly professional nature, such as media regulation, professional self-regulation and differences between the advertising markets, were also discussed.

There was extensive coverage of the meeting in the Bulgarian media. A list of articles follows:
• Petar Boychev, Tirana and Dures are merging into a new megalopolis, 24 Hours Daily, 8 June 2003
• Anton Baev, The Albanians are my friends. 1. The mayor of Tirana: hated and praised. Maritza Daily, 10 June 2002
• Anton Baev, The Albanians are my friends. 2. Berisha against Nano: the personal doctor of Enver Hodja is losing points against the scandalous socialist leader. Maritza Daily, 11 June 2002
• Anton Baev, The Albanians are my friends. 3. Corridor N°8: the hotels at the Adriatic seaside are ready, there are still problems with the regular supply of water and electricity. Maritza Daily, 12 June 2002
• Valeri Tzenkov, Albania, A laboratory for meritocracy. Tema Weekly, 24/ 2003
• Vasil Zahariev, The President of Albania sends regards to our Foreign Minister, Standart Daily, 9 June 2003
• Vasil Zahariev, Albania - the rich poor-man of the Balkans, Standart Daily, 17 June 2003
• Krasimir Tomov, Tirana - the marks of the past century can be seen everywhere, Duma Daily, 21 June 2003
• Milena Pavlova, At 50 km/h on corridor N°8, Dnevnik Daily, 2 July 2003 

It was pointed out that such meetings represented a step in the right direction and it was agreed that future co-operation was needed. A return visit of Albanian journalists to Bulgaria is planned for the autumn of 2003. 

Bulgarian and Albanian editors-in-chief and opinion makers 

None 

None