IWMF: Can you tell me what has happened to you since you won the IWMF’s Courage in Journalism Award in 1999?
AK: Many things. After 1999, after the award, I got back to Pristina, where we were starting from scratch. We were starting from a situation where you didn’t have power, you didn’t have water, no telephone lines were established yet. So, it was after a war situation. We started our radio station in Pristina with 24-hour programming. After just one year, in 2000, we launched our television program. In the beginning, it was just for two hours. We are now up to 24 hours of programming on TV and on radio.
So I can say that a lot of things have happened during these three years. And, looking back, it was a lot of struggle, a lot of challenges, a lot of fights to sustain the society, to work with society in the post-conflict period, not just as a journalist, but also as a human being.
You know, we have had to give our viewers a hand, to discuss with them, to ask them sometimes to be patient, because we were a part of this society. We weren’t just radio and television, but also a place where people could find friends.
We did this using conflict resolution techniques. It wasn’t easy to face people who were angry. It wasn’t easy, actually, to talk to people who have lost complete families.
IWMF: Could you talk more specifically about how you use conflict resolution at your television station?
AK: Actually, it’s not the usual programming as it is in the United States. For example, we have special programming that lasts for fours hours per day, every day. We bring people together, starting with politicians, to discuss social issues, civil society and problems between minorities and majorities. We use these communication skills, this conflict resolution. It is very important, especially in this post-trauma society.
We are not using the skills for progressive journalism. We saw that sometimes, using conflict resolution, you don’t have the same results. Actually, people are more relaxed, and their answers are more complete and you get something more than you would get if your were aggressive. We were using both techniques, and we found that we got more with conflict resolutions techniques. For example, you can bring three parties to a round table to discuss. You don’t have fights, but you do have very qualitative discussions in which we can also involve our fans, who call in. Then, even if there are provocative questions, viewers are a part of it and they are not aggressive. This kind of television is actually creating an environment for discussions to grow, and for sorting through problems in society.
IWMF: Can you give us an example of how you use conflict resolution techniques?
AK: For example, in the election campaign usually people, politicians, fight each other. And usually, especially in the area where we live, it is very aggressive. But if the host starts to use conflict resolution techniques, the discussion around the table will change.
IWMF: So if, for example, a politician says, “You did this,” and “You did that,” how would you actually step in and calm the situation down?
AK: You step in and calm them down by pointing out another interest. You say, “Let’s see, what is the common interest?” The common interest is actually the interest of the society.
IWMF: So you might say, “Okay, let’s talk about what the people want? Let’s talk about all our interests.”
AK: Exactly. As a host, I am the people. I am the viewership, I am the interested party. I am the person who will vote for them. [I say:] “Okay, guys. I am actually the person who’s going to vote for you. So what are you offering me? What can I believe? But if you are fighting each other and if you continue this, I won’t believe [you]."
IWMF: So it’s a much more activist role than most journalists would play?
AK: It’s just a technique that usually activists use. Journalists don’t play the role of activists, but it’s another kind of philosophy in journalism, which we haven’t seen because we’ve maintained aggressive journalism on our side, which never solves the problem. It increases the problem. Using conflict resolution techniques, you put yourself in the place of society, in the place of viewers.
IWMF: Can you tell us what the most pressing press freedom issue is in Kosovo today?
AK: Actually, we do not have limitations in doing our work – that is, where somebody is not allowed to do this or do that. Of course, you have to respect the code of conduct of journalism, of the electronic media, which is where I work.
IWMF: Are you the sole owner of Radio 21?
AK: No, our company has shares, so there are four shareholders and there are still shares for the workers.
IWMF: And you broadcast 24 hours a day?
AK: Yes.
IWMF: Television and radio?
AK: Television and radio. And we now broadcast Kosovo-wide, and we cover Europe by satellite. From the first of September we started to broadcast to the U.S. and Canada.
IWMF: What difference has winning the Courage in Journalism Award made in your life?
AK: Courage. More courage. I think that is the difference. More courage. You know that you are not alone, and that whenever you need it, you can just ring the phone and say, “Okay, I need a little bit more courage now.” Morally, it’s a big support. The world is not so big that you can’t reach everyone you need to reach.