[NYC-L] BBC: Impartial, pro-slav or just simply confused?

[Mentor Mala]

Dear friends,

I've gotten a few emails from some friends and professors here at USF 
(Univeristy of South Florida) saying that they are confused with what is 
going on in Macedonia, and what the NLA stands for. Reading BBC online, they 
seem to be confused.

After reading the articles, decided to write a letter to the Editor of BBC 
Online.

Here is the copy of the letter

----------Start of letter-----------
To the editor in chief of BBC online.

There are no words to express the importance of presenting facts when 
writing a story about a specific event. It is understood that mistakes can 
happen, however, it is also of an utmost importance to correct those 
mistakes as soon as possible. BBC is a credible organization that many users 
will take its stories and publications for facts. An average user may or may 
not understand that mistakes and confusion of facts may happen.

In the article published on BBCs website, (see URL 
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/europe/newsid_1221000/1221770.stm) 
entitled  "In pictures: Macedonia rebellion" it shows a picture of the NLA 
(National Liberation Army) and the caption reads as follows:

"The militants are believed to be seeking to annex Albanian-populated areas 
of Macedonia into a "greater Albania" "

This caption will give the average user an impression that the Albanians are 
the ones seeking to destroy Macedonia, by annexing land now belonging to 
Macedonia; into what the article calls it a "greater Albania." Let us not 
forget that Western Macedonia, was Albanian land, (1913 Conference of 
London, when Europe gave that land to the Slavic nations as an appreciation 
for their efforts to help combat the Ottoman Empire).

The above article 
(http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/europe/newsid_1221000/1221770.stm) 
however, contradicts completely with what the NLA is fighting for. In their 
statements they clearly point out that the fighting is not to create a what 
BBC refers to as "Greater Albania" but for more rights, and equality amongst 
other ethnic groups living in Macedonia.

However another article published in BBC's website 
(http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/europe/newsid_1213000/1213887.stm):
"The statement calls for a new Macedonian constitution, better rights for 
Albanians, and international mediation"

The difference between two articles is obvious. One can wonder how can an 
organization with a worldwide known credibility present what is believed by 
only the Slav nations (Macedonia, Serbia and Bulgaria), namely, the 
intentions of the NLA for a “Greater Albania” and not be based at all on the 
public declaration of the NLA, which BBC published in a different article.

Such mistakes are only creating confusion amongst readers, especially the 
ones not familiar with the problems in the region. From the first referenced 
article, it is almost certain that the reader will form a negative opinion 
about the NLA, and the Albanians as a whole, for supporting them. 
Furthermore, BBC goes to no extent to explain, or present facts why the 
conflict started in the first place. At no time, at least to my knowledge, 
refer to the beatings tortures and death of the Albanians in the hands of 
Macedonian police and special unit forces since last year.  For more 
information, please refer to the following links:

http://www.balkanreport.com/angliski/policebrutalityreport.htm
http://www.web.amnesty.org/ai.nsf/index/EUR650052000 (Amnesty International)
http://www.hrw.org/wr2k1/europe/macedonia.html (Human rights Watch Group).

To ensure impartiality, it is unfair to publish articles containing 
information on what the opposing side believes.

The article “In pictures: Macedonia rebellion” is offensive to Albanians as 
a nation, and it is unfair. I urge you to either remove the article from the 
website, or change the caption of the first picture to presenting facts, 
based on the statement by the NLA.

Sincerely,
Mentor Mala
Saint Petersburg, FL

---- End of letter -----------

The question still remains. Is BBC Impartial, pro-slav or simply confused?

Later
Mentor
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