29 September 2017

Press Council updates its website

As part of the project Building Trust in Media in Southeast Europe and Turkey funded by European Commission and implemented by UNESCO and its partners, on September 20-21, Press Council of Kosovo took part in a capacity building training, that was specifically designed to increase the knowledge of its staff on website management, online complaint procedures and similar issues. On this occasion, Petrit Bytyqi, an IT and website development expert, commissioned by the project, also had the chances to introduce the improvements to the website. Among other things, the new website features:

  • Searchable database of complaints with all elements (the complaints with all important information, the complainants, media outlet, and the decisions of the Complaint Commission);
  • Online media database of members and non-members
  • Improved overall appearance (with less categories and more subcategories);

 

Database of complaints

The practice of archiving complaints was rather outdated. The complaints were mainly preserved in hard copies, with no systematic classification and/or separation. This posed many problems when it came to searching for a certain complaint, a breach or a media. Also, this kind of practice made it almost impossible to provide certain quantity and quality information regarding complaints and decisions.

The new database uses a searchable excel table containing ALL complaints from its establishment in 2006, until today. In addition to apparent benefits to its transparency and visibility, this database will serve all interested stakeholders to get categorized information on the number of complaints against a certain member, the number of breaches of a certain chapter, etc. Also, Press Council of Kosovo now looks into a possibility of producing a comprehensive report on self-regulation in Kosovo 2006-2017.

Online media database of members and non-members

This database provides basic information about the members of Press Council of Kosovo, such as address, editorial board, website and so on. The second part of the database provides information on non-members.

This part will be continuously fed with new information that will be provided either when Press Council receives a complaint against a non-member and by asking non-member media to provide information on their organization in order to be included in the database, and inform them on Press Council, self-regulation, and a possibility to be part of it.

Overall appearance

The website had some issues regarding online complaints. The issues have been addressed and this platform is now completely functional. The website is now smartphone and tablet friendly.