Views: Marina Tuneva-Jovanovska Stories – the meeting point of media and civil societies I have noticed, and I’m certain that a large number of those whose attention this text deserves will agree, that when someone is facing the unknown some of the first reactions are distancing, without excluding the further sarcasm, obstinate search for something that deserves negative criticism, ignoring and similar. I don’t know whether for this above said or together with some other reasons that will be explained throughout this text, but very often it can be noticed that the same thing occurs on the relation media – civil organizations. It doesn’t sound nice, but it must be noticed that the civil sector can be deeply suppressed in the agenda of the media. Just as the media are very often suppressed at the bottom of the agenda of functioning of the associations of citizens. For these not really nice relations usually the excuse can be found in the mutual seeking for responsibility from the other side. And, the least desired, but very frequent consequences from these relations are placing the associations of citizens on the list of  “simple executors of the will of the donor and of the one who stands behind the whole process”, “money laundry”, and the media become “rotten pens”, “sensation seekers”, “only orientated towards politics” etc. It’s useless to continue with making this kind of list, because it won’t be useful neither for the media nor for the civil organizations. Let’s not forget, there are examples for success in these relations, but unfortunately, that’s not the general condition, just as it’s not enough to consider there’s basis for optimism when we only base on isolated examples. The responsibilities at both sides must grow, and when we say grow, we think that they should reach a level of satisfaction both at the civil sector and the media, only if somebody takes over his own responsibility. If the associations of citizens understand and accept their role of creators of the public opinion with the help of the media, then they are on half way to the guaranteed success. And, in order to gain the media in fulfilling that intention, it’s necessary to learn to communicate with “their language”. Through that language many stories can be said and showed that will turn the attention towards those for whom the stories are. And those stories won’t come from Alice from Wonderland, but from the real world of the civil sector and you will need only a small inspiration and will to say and share them. On the other hand, if the media play well their role of evaluators of the good and inspiring story and with good will they give little space to make it alive again through the written or spoken word, they will offer many messages and ideas for which the most thankful person will be the one for whom they are directed – the citizen. The main mission of the both (media and civil organizations) is to get to people with a good message, isn’t it? They say that the media own the power. Yes, when we talk about choosing and transmitting the stories and messages, but that power depends, first of all, on those that offer and create the stories. As long as this mutual relation is completely clear to both, there won’t be basis for distance and disagreement. Both the media and the civil organizations can be teachers to each other. To learn what and how they work and in that kind of spirit to help each other in fulfilling their choices. Then we can expect with certainty a fertile cooperation. Saying this, I remember an old Arabic proverb: “If you have planted cactuses, don’t expect grapes”, I believe that many have already put together their formula for success and respect it appropriately! (the author is a graduated journalist)