THE SCOPE AND MEANING…

UDC070.19(497.7)(047.31)

THE SCOPE AND MEANING OF THE TERM EUROPEAN VALUES AS USED IN MACEDONIAN PRINT MEDIA Loreta Georgievska-Jakovleva; Mishel Pavlovski Ss Cyril and Methodius University, , Macedonia

Abstract: The paper argues that the term European values I. INTRODUCTION is an umbrella term as its exact meaning is not really clear. European values are frequently mentioned and discussed A. Starting Position and Premise in the Republic of Macedonia, especially in the context of European identity is based on European values, which Macedonian identity and the so-called “name dispute” with should be shared by all member-states of the European Greece. After 2008, when Macedonia was passed for NATO Union. The European Union is viewed today as a membership (and her ongoing EU candidacy status), the term European values, especially in the media, has been the community of nations whose cultural specifics provide subject to extensive discussion, mostly with negative the building blocks for the diverse unity of the continent, connotations. The aim of this paper and presented based on the values that are the source of EU’s power. As research is to analyze what Macedonian print media a country candidate for EU membership, the Republic of qualify as European values and if said definitions are in Macedonia should contribute to the creation of and accordance with the Lisbon Treaty’s definitions. The paper adherence to those values. is based on a research project titled The Scope and Meaning of the Term European Values as Used by Macedonian Print B. Certain Dilemmas Regarding the Terms Value and Media. The project used the Treaty of Lisbon to define a set European Values of attributes for the term European values in six The creation of rules based on a discourse of values is Macedonian print media: the dailies, “”, not an easy task. There are differences in opinions, in “”, "”, “”, “Večer”, and the weekly “”. This paper presents the main results of the terms of which values should be considered essential or research. core, namely those that provide the foundations for a system of values. Hence, it means that the term value is Keywords: European values, European identity, core values, not universal (although there are some basic premises Macedonian print media, Treaty of Lisbon about its contents and meaning that we may consider necessary).

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In order to determine the scope and meaning of the ● Are there differences between the European values term European values, we need to define its listed in the Treaty of Lisbon and the accepted values characteristics and attributes: from a cultural point of in Macedonia? view, [a]"value is a designation that is given to a text, ● Do the differences of various national value systems object or person, by the very act of evaluation or indicate a possibility for their unification into a appraisal. However, we can’t consider any action common system of European values that would presenting marks to be an act of evaluation, but only reflect that common European identity? those [...] which use conscious criteria. Value, therefore, is a relative quantity dependent on the determinants of the D. Research Subject act of attribution." (Biti, 2000) Determine the scope and meaning of the term The content of the term European values is defined in European Values as used in Macedonian print media: the several documents of the European Union. The EU dailies, "Nova Makedonija", "Dnevnik", "Utrinski Vesnik", Constitution states: "The Union is founded on the values "Večer" and "Vest", and the weekly "Fokus”, in the period of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, 2009-2013. Fact 1: While it was quite clear what the term equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, European values meant and what it implied in the including the rights of persons belonging to minorities. starting period of imagining the European Union, the These values are common to the Member States in a decision that the EU should extend its borders made society in which pluralism, non-discrimination, tolerance, everything far more complicated. The consensus on the justice, solidarity and equality between women and men self-explanatory and well- defined system of common prevail." ["The founding principles of the Union"] values in Western Europe no longer exists. Formulated in such a way, in view of the adopted Treaty Determined void in the knowledge set: In order to of Lisbon, European values in the system of values in examine the meaning of the term European values, we Western Europe acquire features clearly defined as: need to research what the elements and meanings added Dignity, freedom, equality, solidarity, rights of citizens and to this umbrella-term entail, by different regional and justice. national cultures or, in our specific case - which are those We are interested in the notions that the term elements and meanings in Macedonian culture. European values holds for Macedonian print media and Explanation 1: Holm Sundhaussen: "The accession of the degree to which they coincide (or not) with the the countries of Southeast Europe into the EU brings values defined in the Western European system. about the need for re-examination of the term common European values, which will take into account the C. Research Questions emergence and the changes of the national value systems Starting from the premise listed above, it is of special valid in the countries of that region." [Зундхаусен] The importance to determine the following: lack of empirical study of value systems in these ● Which are the values, beliefs and images perceived as countries emphasized the urgent need for studies and European in the Republic of Macedonia today? research projects of this type – full integration is not

142 THE SCOPE AND MEANING… possible without integration of those value systems into values”, so that the scope and meaning of the term and the so-called European identity. possible and eventual discrepancies may be ascertained Objective 1: Fill in part of the identified vacuum of in comparison to the Western European understanding knowledge. One possibility to compensate that void is to and application of the term. follow the national media as an important factor in the The research is based on data collection, their creation and presentation of public opinion. thematic classification, followed by an analysis of the Fact 2: Basic values are non-negotiable. media’s discourse of the said term. Although the given Determined void in the knowledge set 2: In order subject matter and research interest, we could encounter to determine whether the Republic of Macedonia accepts several different thematically linked articles, such as the basic European values prescribed by the Lisbon those that speak about the different markers and Treaty, we need to compare the features and attributes of attributes that help define the term European values (for the core values contained in that umbrella-term with the example, articles on the subject matter of aligning and meanings that the same term carries in the Republic of adjusting Macedonian to European legislature, or those Macedonia. tied to civil society), we decided not to focus on said Explanation 2: According to Diebold, those who articles. The decision was made with the following goal in dispute the values that are considered non-negotiable mind: pinpointing which values are considered European "position themselves out of the debate". [Зундхаусен]. by contemporary Macedonian society, i.e., which values However, that also implies the following: when no are considered as European. The articles that would only consensus can be reached on those basic rules, only focus on specific characteristics and attributes of the peaceful break-up (or "coexistence") or use of force term value in a comparative Macedonian and European remain as viable options. context, could be the subject of another research whose Objective 2: goals are larger in scope. Examine and determine whether the media included The paper starts with the premise that Macedonian in the survey believe that Macedonia can join the debate print media provide information on a part of the on European values and which specific aspects are to be characteristics and attributes of European values, while considered negotiable or non-negotiable. neglecting others. Hence, the paper’s premise rests on the assumption that what is seen, in part, as a European II. METHODOLOGY value stands in confrontation with Macedonian traditional values. Based on the conclusion that values are characterized In order for the validity of the thesis to be tested, we by a selection of attributes, one based on certain measures, employed the following methodology: by selecting from while examining which particular characteristics and the search results of the term European values found in attributes factor into the term European values in the electronic editions of said publications, we identified Macedonian print media. those articles that explicitly contain the term. The The starting point of the research revolved around selected articles are then thematically classified (by using identifying which articles contained the term “European the term’s established characteristics and attributes as

143 КУЛТУРА / CULTURE, 11/ 2015 given by the Lisbon Treaty) and statistically processed, Macedonia’s Euro-scepticism has risen, and with that, the so that quantifiable indicators can be derived. Apart from possibility for even greater inconsistencies in the term’s the thematic classification, the data is classified by year of scope between the EU member states and Macedonia as publication, author, and genre. Then, by applying a candidate country. discourse analysis, conclusions are drawn. The five dailies used in the research include: “Nova III. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS Makedonija”, “Utrinski vesnik”, "Dnevnik”, “Vest”, “Večer”, with the sixth publication being the weekly Table 1 presents the total number of identified “Fokus”, during the period of 2009-2013. The period was articles and textual units that contain the term European set based on Macedonia’s specific geopolitical situation values and their distribution, in total numbers and after the 2008 NATO Summit, i.e., its denied membership. percentages, in the daily newspapers "Nova Makedonija", The disappointment from the failure implies an "Utrinski vesnik", "Dnevnik", "Vest", "Večer" and weekly assumption that in the aftermath of said period magazine "Fokus".

“Nova “Utrinski “Dnevnik” “Vest” "Večer” “Fokus” Total Makedonija” vesnik” Number of textual units 59 58 63 16 10 19 225 Percentage of the total 26,22% 25,78% 28,00% 7,11% 4,44% 8,44% 100,00%

Table 1. Total number of identified textual units that contain the term European values in absolute numbers and as percentages of the total number of articles in the publications covered by the research

The results indicate that, based on frequency of the the conclusion that they treat that subject matter only term’s appearance we can divide the media into two sporadically. The conclusion is that the three outlets use groups: in the first group – comprised of "Nova the term European values sporadically, but they tend to Makedonija", "Utrinski vesnik", and "Dnevnik" - there is focus more on the core values and the rights, freedoms very little difference in the numbers of identified textual and principles that comprise those core values as subject units that mention the term European values, which leads matters in their own right without explicitly tying them to a conclusion that the three dailies dedicate almost to the term European values. equal attention to this subject matter. The relative high The data in Table 2 indicates that all individual core frequency of the term’s use indicates that the three print values covered by the term European values are well media outlets demonstrate a prominent interest in the represented in Macedonia’s print media. Based on the subject of European values, which they consider to be one discussed attributes of the term European values, it is of the more important issues of the Macedonian state. mostly brought in relation to the right to self- In the second group of print media - "Večer" and determination and identity of the core value of "Vest" dailies, and the weekly "Fokus" – the use of the Freedom. The values related to different attributes of term European values is rare. However, it doesn't imply the core value Freedom are the most debated values.

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Core value/right, principle, freedom N.M. U.V. Dne. Vest Več. Fok. Tot. EUROPEAN VALUES - DEVOID OF MEANING, NO EXPLANATION 3 32 36 4 10 1 56 DIGNITY 6 0 0 1 1 2 10 Human dignity 5 0 0 1 0 3 9 Right to the integrity of the person 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 Human values 0 2 3 0 1 5 11 Principled positions 11 2 3 0 2 18 Total 22 4 6 3 2 12 49 FREEDOM 7 5 6 1 0 7 26 Right to liberty and security 1 0 0 0 1 2 4 Right to privacy and family life 0 0 0 1 0 1 2 Freedom of thought, conscience and religion 1 1 4 1 1 12 20 Freedom of expression and information 3 6 6 2 0 11 28 Freedom of assembly and association 0 0 0 1 0 1 2 Freedom to conduct business 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 Freedom of the arts and sciences 1 0 0 1 2 0 4 Right to self-determination and identity 12 5 7 2 3 5 34 Total 25 17 23 9 8 39 121 EQUALITY 1 0 0 1 0 3 5 Equality before the law 3 0 2 0 0 1 6 Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of sex 1 0 1 4 0 0 6 Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of race or colour of skin 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of ethnic or social origin 5 2 0 0 1 0 8 Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion or belief 5 0 0 0 0 0 5 Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of political or any other opinion 1 0 0 0 0 3 4 Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of membership of a national minority 0 5 0 0 1 0 6 Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation 2 1 5 0 0 0 8 Cultural, religious and linguistic diversity 4 4 0 2 3 2 15 Equality between women and men 0 0 0 1 0 1 2 Total 23 12 8 8 5 10 66 SOLIDARITY 0 3 3 1 0 0 7 Fair and just working conditions 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 Family and professional life 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 Social security and social assistance 8 0 0 0 0 0 8 Environmental protection 0 2 1 0 0 0 3 Total 9 5 4 2 0 0 20 CITIZENS’ RIGHTS 1 1 0 2 0 5 9 Voting rights 0 1 0 0 1 6 8 Right to good administration 4 6 3 0 1 6 20 Freedom of movement and of residence 0 0 0 0 4 0 4 Total 5 8 3 2 6 17 41 JUSTICE 4 3 3 1 0 5 16 Right to an effective remedy and to a fair trial 0 0 0 0 1 3 4 Presumption of innocence and right of defense 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 Total: 4 3 3 1 1 9 21 Total 88 49 47 25 22 87 318

Table 2: Numbers of mentions of core values, principles, rights and freedoms in “Nova Makedonija”, “Utrinski vesnik”, "Dnevnik”, “Vest”, “Večer” dailies and “Fokus” weekly

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The rights, principles and freedoms not discussed by the print media included in this project are listed in Table 3.

Core value Total components Non-represented Non-represented components of the core-values DIGNITY 7 1 Prohibition of slavery or forced labour FREEDOM 13 4 Protection for personal data Right to marry and right to found a family Right to asylum Protection in the event of removal, expulsion or extradition EQUALITY 14 6 Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of race or colour of skin Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of language Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of political or any other opinion Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of disability Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of age Rights of the elderly, children and persons with disabilities SOLIDARITY 12 9 Workers' right to information and consultation within the undertaking Right to collective bargaining and action Right to access to placement services Protection in the event of unjustified dismissal Prohibition of child labour and protection of young people at work Family and professional life Health Care Access to services of general economic interest Consumer protection CITIZENS’ RIGHTS 7 4 Right of access to documents European Ombudsman Right to petition Diplomatic and Consular protection JUSTICE 4 1 Principles of legality and proportionality of criminal offences and penalties TOTAL 57 26

Table 3: Numbers of represented and non-represented components of the core values in “Nova Makedonija”, “Utrinski vesnik”, "Dnevnik”, “Vest”, “Vecher” dailies and “Fokus” weekly

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Out of 57 identified rights, principles and freedoms that are part of the said core values, 26 (45.61%) have not been discussed at all, while 6 (10.53%) were mentioned on only one occasion.

Total components of Mentioned components of Mentioned only once not mentioned core values core values 57/100% 26/43,85% 6/10,53 25/45,61%

Table 4: Treatment of components of the core values in “Nova Makedonija”, “Utrinski vesnik”, "Dnevnik”, “Vest”, “Vecher” dailies and “Fokus” weekly

IV. DISCOURSE ANALYSIS importance for the current situations, we could conclude that the print media believe that The principle of democracy is often discussed in the fundamental rights in the Republic of Macedonia context of the term European values, usually used as a remain a subject of debate and negotiations, while its core value. Further, we can conclude that, in the contents are in the process of being defined. analyzed Macedonian print media, the term European Therefore, we ask: what is it that gives currency to values relates to the rule of law, good neighbourly the issues related to fundamental rights in the relations, integration and pluralism. Macedonian media Republic of Macedonia? There seem to be three main offer at least two new values that are not typical for reasons. the EU’s normative acts: The right to self-identification On one hand, the fundamental rights are and EU accession and with that "to European values mentioned in the context of the additional through culture", which could be treated as terms requirement, related to the name-dispute, which derived from EU’s objectives to ensure the respect for Macedonia has to meet in order to start the accession national identity and preserve cultural diversity. negotiations with EU. That is an extremely delicate Having in mind the specific position of the Republic of matter which, for the time being, seems difficult to Macedonia, i.e. the prolonged status of candidate- solve. The Republic of Greece considers itself the sole country which has identity-related problems with the heir to Alexander the Great’s Empire, therefore, it neighbouring states, these two features emerge as a doesn't recognize the official name of its neighbour to result of the need for more concrete objectives in the the north and prevents its neighbours accession to the context of the situation of Macedonia. EU. On the other hand, the Republic of Macedonia puts The analyzed materials lead to the conclusion that emphasis on the right to self-determination and, by the most commonly mentioned core values, in relation extension, the right to self-identification. The country to the term European values, were those related in notes the long tradition of calling itself Macedonia and some form of fashion to the fundamental rights. insists on its constitutional name while pointing out to Therefore, if we accept the position that the print the world that no other modern country uses that media report on and analyse topics and issues of name. The inability to find a compromise on the name-

147 КУЛТУРА / CULTURE, 11/ 2015 dispute (issue that extends the scope of what is non- ● Texts that criticise the Republic of Macedonia for negotiable), the fact that the accession to EU is a the failure to implement the accepted European strategic goal and a priority issue for Macedonian values. citizens, logically leads to a situation in which The analyzed materials lead to the following Macedonian media write about the issue, report about conclusions: it, and analyse it. And, of course, it is brought up in the ● During the period covered by this survey (2008- context of the term European values. 2013), the term European values was identified in a The Republic of Macedonia is a young democracy relatively large total number of textual units. that still harbours old thinking matrices and However, in a great number of those textual units, traditional values remain the decisive factor. The the term European values is used as empty term, Church is very influential and, as a result, we have a devoid of concrete contents, i.e. as a purely series of legislative acts of relevance to marginalized decorative term. groups which are, at best, ambiguous. Individual rights ● The dominant position of almost all print media are suppressed in favour of collective rights. It covered by the analysis is that identity issues contributes to the feeling in certain social groups that cannot be negotiated. their individual rights are under threat, which further ● The components of the term European values, as contributes to the urgency and currency of the defined by the Treaty of Lisbon and the other subject-matter. European normative acts, coincide with the local On another hand, however, the institutions of the and national values. Those are accepted by the Republic of Macedonia are often accused of being Republic of Macedonia as its own and non- under political influence and not acting in line with negotiable. One exception is the prohibition of prescribed European standards and values, meaning discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation that they don’t apply the principle of rule of law. which is a part of the core value of equality. On that In view of what has been said above and the core-value, re-appraisal of positions is necessary. materials included in this analysis, a distinction can be ● The critical discourse towards both the EU and the made between three different groups of texts: Republic of Macedonia in the context of the term ● Texts that hold the position that it is, in fact, the EU European values indicates that it is not directed at that engages in unprincipled implementation of the the core values, principles, rights and freedoms declared European values; prescribed in the acts of the European Union. Quite ● Texts in which the European values, declared and the opposite, it could be concluded that the defined by the European Union, are reinvented and criticism is used as the approach that would allow redefined in accordance with the concepts and the for reconsideration of those, commonly called "lost views of the author; values" that legitimize the EU and produce effects on the real lives of its citizens.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS [3] Диболд, Алфред.. (2006). „Вредностите и политиката – ЕУ и Југоистокот на Европа: Вовед", во: Денерт, Штефан, Алфред Диболд. (2006). Вредностите и политиката : ЕУ и The project The Scope and Meaning of the Term Југоистокот на Европа , Скопје, Фондација Фридрих Еберт, European Values as Used by Macedonian Print Media, Канцеларија Скопје was supported by USAID and the Foundation Open [4] Денерт, Штефан. „Европа проширена кон Југоисток – Society – Macedonia. Project participants: Loreta заедница на вредности?“ во: Денерт, Штефан, Алфред Диболд. (2006). Вредностите и политиката : ЕУ и Georgievska-Jakovleva (head researcher); Mishel Југоистокот на Европа , Скопје, Фондација Фридрих Еберт, Pavlovski; Nataša Ilievska-Tanevski; Tamara Čausidis; Канцеларија Скопје Aleksandra Jurukovska; Suzana Džamtoska- [5] Зундхаусен, Холм. Постојат ли европски вредности? Zdravkovska; Dejan Georgievski Размисли околу вредносните системи во земјите на југоисточна Европа и во Европската Унија http://www.fes.org.mk/pdf/H.Zundhausen%20- REFERENCES %20Postojat%20li%20evropski%20vrednosti.pdf [6] Зундхаузен, Холм. (2006) „Враќање кон Европа? Југоисточна [1] Biti, Vladimir. (2000). Pojmovnik savremene knjizevne i kulturne Европа помеѓу Западот и Истокот", во: Денерт, Штефан, teorije, Matica hrvatska, Zagreb Алфред Диболд. (2006). Вредностите и политиката : ЕУ и [2] Денерт, Штефан, Алфред Диболд. (2006). Вредностите и Југоистокот на Европа , Скопје, Фондација Фридрих Еберт, политиката : ЕУ и Југоистокот на Европа , Скопје, Канцеларија Скопје Фондација Фридрих Еберт, Канцеларија Скопје [7] Шуман, Роберт . (2004). „За Европа“, Делегација на http://www.fes.org.mk/pdf/H.Zundhausen%20%20Postojat% Европската комисија, Скопје. 20li%20evropski%20vrednosti.pdf [8] "The Founding Principles of the Union." SCADPlus:. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Aug. 2015.

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