Press clipping (Ebart/Media Documentation)

(Random sample of local newspapers compiled in collaboration with Ebart/Media Documentation)
www.arhiv.co.yu

"All serious and less serious newspapers in Serbia, without exception, featured Tito as a special topic. Some of them have, in a way, specialized "in Tito". Over a period of less than two years - from January to December 2003 and from January to 15 September 2004, a total of 444 articles about Tito were published. The interest for Tito considerably decreased (312 articles in 2003 and 132 in 2004). However, his presence is still visible. If a search, which would include only Tito's name, were conducted, the number of articles would certainly reach several thousand.

In the Letters to the Editor, newspaper serials and individual articles the portrayal of Josip Broz Tito is mostly negative. He is strongly associated with a sense of loss, bitterness and, only occasionally, nostalgia. As far as generational differences are concerned, Tito attracts the attention of journalists and readers older than 40. Regardless of their political and other beliefs, people feel that Tito is at the root of everything. Discussions on all sorts of topics, not only contemporary history, but also conspiracy theories, attitudes towards culture and tradition, ethnic consciousness and melancholy generational outpourings of emotion tend to begin by mentioning Tito. He has undoubtedly become part of the media archetype which is quickly and efficiently resorted to as soon as lack of current topics is felt. Sometimes it seems that Tito is more alive and present than many of the figures shaping our public and political life today. The tougher the situation, the stronger his presence. His help is equally precious to those who curse him and those who still adore him."

Velimir Ćurgus Kazimir