Home Blog Page 3

Webinar on the topic of the safety of journalists in Serbia

By
IJAS
-
0
Photo: Pixabay.com

The first webinar on the fight against impunity for crimes against journalists in Serbia was held yesterday, organized by the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) and the Association of Journalists of Serbia (UNS). The webinar was attended by journalists from Serbia, as well as representatives of domestic and international journalistic associations.

At the beginning of the webinar, Ivana Stevanović, executive director of the “Slavko Ćuruvija Foundation”, spoke about the final verdict for the murder of journalist Slavko Ćuruvija.

Veran Matić introduced the representatives of international organizations with the work of the Permanent Working Group for the Safety of Journalists. He also spoke about the current situation when it comes to the safety of journalists in Serbia. He mentioned recent cases in which journalists Verica Marinčić, Ksenija Pavkov and Ana Lalić were attacked.

The webinar was also attended by Ana Lalić, against whom an orchestrated campaign has been conducted for the last ten days. She spoke about the threats and pressures she faces. She said she doesn’t feel safe and is considering moving to another state with her family.

The situation regarding the safety of journalists in Serbia has escalated so much that announcements and open letters to domestic and international institutions are not enough, concrete action is needed, the webinar participants concluded.

They agreed that it is necessary to exert concrete international pressure on the authorities and institutions in Serbia in order to ensure a safer environment for the work of journalists.

The President of the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), Maja Sever, participated and voiced her support for journalists in Serbia.

 

BH JOURNALISTS: Public protest to the mayor of Srebrenica

By
BHJA
-
0

Sarajevo, March 19, 2024 – Board of Directors of the BH Journalists Association (BHJA) and the Helpline for Journalists send a public protest to the head of Srebrenica, Mladen Grujičić, due to the vulgar curses and threats he sent to the retired journalist Marinko Sekulić.

Chief Grujičić called the journalist Sekulić on the phone on Sunday evening and on that occasion cursed his mother, threatening to “remember” him, and for several hours continued to harass the journalist by sending him inappropriate messages and primitive insults. Sekulić assumes that the mayor of Srebrenica reacted with curses and threats after this journalist shared an article on Facebook from one of the portals in which Grujičić and his family life are mentioned. Considering the seriousness of the threats, Sekulić immediately informed the police and asked for protection.

Board of Directors of the BHJA strongly condemns the threats and considers them a gross threat to Marinko Sekulić’s safety and an attack on his professional and human integrity. It is particularly worrisome that Grujučić holds a public office in the Municipality of Srebrenica, paid with public money, and that through unprovoked, verbal violence towards Sekulić, he can influence the behavior of his followers towards this journalist who lives in Srebrenica with his family.

The Steering Committee of BHJA calls on the Srebrenica police to urgently investigate this case, call the chief Mladen Grujičić for questioning and take legal measures to sanction his violent behavior. At the same time, the legal team of the Helpline for Journalists (FMHL) will provide colleague Sekulić with adequate legal assistance so that this case can be adequately processed before judicial institutions and conducted in accordance with international standards for the protection of the rights and safety of journalists.

Board of Directors of the Association/BH Journalists Association

The first module of the Academy on Dealing with the Past (DwP) Journalism and Conflict Sensitive Reporting was held

By
AJK
-
0

Before starting off the module, journalism students and journalists were addressed by Xhemajl Rexha, the Chairman of the Board of the Association of Journalists of Kosovo, and Vjollca Islami Hajrullahu, Project Manager at Forum Civil Peace Service – Kosovo.

Rexha highlighted the importance of this Academy for young journalists and thanked forumZFD for the opportunity given to students and journalists to learn the best practices regarding reporting on these topics.

Islami Hajrullahu emphasized that the ForumZFD Program in Kosovo has worked intensively for more than 5 years with the media, journalists, and students to improve the professionalism of reporting in dealing with the past and conflict-sensitive reporting. “As the media is the primary source of information for most of us, it is crucial that journalists and media avoid fake news, external and internal influences that may lead to an increase in tensions which lead to conflict. Therefore, forumZFD highly values the cooperation with the Association of Journalists of Kosovo – AJK and the realization of the “Academy on Dealing with the Past (DwP) Journalism and Conflict Sensitive Reporting” she said.

Journalism students and journalists participating in the first module of the Academy were lectured on Introduction to Peace Journalism on Saturday.

This module of the Academy was lectured by Abit Hoxha, Professor at the University of Agder in Norway. During this module, he lectured and discussed the importance of reporting on Dealing with the Past (DwP) Journalism and Conflict Sensitive Reporting. Among other things, perspectives and ethical frameworks necessary for reporting on conflicts and social issues were discussed. It was also discussed how journalists can contribute to a more informed, empathic, and peace-oriented public discourse.

Furthermore, journalists, together with Professor Hoxha, had the opportunity to analyze local and international media content in reporting on these topics related to the past.

The Academy on Dealing with the Past (DwP) Journalism and Conflict Sensitive Reporting will continue with three more modules in the following months.

Threats to the safety of journalists in Serbia: new report

By
IJAS
-
0
photo: Shutterstock

Institutional pressures are a form of a threat that most journalists in Serbia often and regularly encounter in their work (46.2%), followed by economic pressures or job insecurity (40.2%). 29.9% of journalists often or regularly encounter the problem of targeting and smear campaigns, and 30.5% reported that they regularly or frequently face verbal threats. SLAPPs (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) were experienced frequently or regularly by 17.1% of journalists. In terms of digital violence, 39.2% of journalists have been victims. More than half of the journalists (53.8%) said they had been in a situation where they did not report on a topic or event one or more times because of the reassure, with women reporting higher instances.

The new Report on safety of journalists in Serbia, prepared with the support of the European Union and Council of Europe, aims to foster the development of relevant policies through identification of invisible pressures such as self-censorship, digital forms of violence and factors that lead to these negative occurrences. The research was conducted in co-operation with the Journalists Association of Serbia and the Independent Journalists Association of Serbia, with 130 journalists and media employees participating in the survey.

The Report aims at a deeper understanding of the complex dynamics between the safety of journalists, and the circumstances in which they perform their role in the media space of Serbia. In digital age, where freedom of expression remains fundamental, it is crucial to acknowledge that unseen pressures like self-censorship and digital violence exert a profound, yet often underestimated, influence on media freedom. Recognising and confronting these covert forces is vital for preserving the integrity of journalism and defending democratic values.

The Report was developed through the action “Protecting freedom of expression and of the media in Serbia (PROFREX)”, implemented by the Council of Europe’s Division for Co-operation on Freedom of Expression, which is part of the joint European Union and the Council of Europe programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”.

 English language version

 Serbian language version

Source: COE

 

CJA condemns the inappropriate behavior of parliamentary representative Veljko Kajtazi towards journalist Hana Gelb.

By
CJA
-
0
Nikola Šolić, HND

The Croatian Journalists’ Association condemns the inappropriate behavior of parliamentary representative Veljko Kajtazi towards Croatian Radiotelevision journalist Hana Gelb.

During filming on International Women’s Day at the Roma Kali Sara Union, the parliamentary representative addressed colleague Gelb in an inappropriate and elevated tone. This incident marks the culmination of his unacceptable behavior towards colleagues from the “Prizma” show, who strive to constructively report on minorities in Croatia, a situation which Representative Kajtazi has been dissatisfied with for years, hence refusing to provide statements to the said program.

Such behavior is unacceptable for anyone, especially for a parliamentary representative, towards anyone, especially towards a woman, particularly a journalist just doing her job. Therefore, the Croatian Journalists’ Association fully supports colleague Hana Gelb, who professionally and honestly performs her duties.

The Croatian Journalists’ Association also calls on the leadership of Croatian Radiotelevision to condemn the behavior of Representative Kajtazi and protect colleague Hana Gelb.

Gordana Škaljac Narančić, President of the CJA Branch at Croatian Radiotelevision

Hrvoje Zovko, President of the Croatian Journalists’ Association

Report says pro-regime tabloids focus attacks on United Group media outlets

By
IJAS
-
0
PHOTO: Pixabay.com

The Slavko Curuvija Foundation said on Wednesday that almost 900 attacks by pro-regime tabloids on media critical of the authorities were reported in 2023, most of them against N1, Nova and Danas.

A Foundation press release said that a total of 884 attacks by pro-regime tabloids had been registered last year and added that, according to Press Council data, most of the violations of the Serbian Journalists’ Code were by the Informer, Alo, Srpski Telegraf (its Republika portal), Vecernje Novosti and Kurir.

Those tabloids published 628 stories targeting media or journalists critical of the authorities 884 times, a Foundation report said.

According to the Foundation report, 80 percent of the attacks were on United Group media outlets – 225 attacks on N1 TV and its portal, 220 on Nova TV and its portal and 178 on Danas daily. Those are followed by 21 attacks on Direktno.rs, 8 on Vreme weekly, 4 each on NIN weekly and the KRIK investigative portal, 3 on the BIRN investigative portal and 2 each on KoSSev and Cenzolovka. Radio Free Europe, AL Jazeera, Pescanik, Insajder TV, the Beta news agency, Autonomija and Ozon press were attacked once each.

The report added that pro-regime tabloids also attacked individual journalists, most often Nova TV News Director Slobodan Georgiev and Danas Editor in Chief Dragoljub Draza Petrovic.

It said that the tabloids used a 4-track strategy: defend Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, demonize and dehumanize journalists, label them as traitors or mercenaries, discredit media. The report said that 31 percent of the tabloid stories were identical or almost identical with each of the tabloids claiming the story as its own which, the Foundation said, could mean they got the ready to publish stories from the same source.

Most of the attacks are by the tabloids themselves but some came from public officials: Ana Brnabic (77), Aleksandar Vucic (37), Goran Vesic (14) and some 20 other ruling coalition officials.

Source: N1

Coalition calls for effective implementation as the Parliament adopts the European Media Freedom Act

By
IJAS
-
0
photo: canva

The European Parliament today adopted with an overwhelming majority (464 in favour, 92 against, 65 abstentions) the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA).

Media freedom and pluralism along with the rule of law have been in decline in the EU (and beyond) for many years. Where the rule of law is undermined, independent journalism is often the first to suffer. Against this background, our coalition of organisations representing journalists, media freedom and civil society groups, and public service media, congratulate the EU institutions and welcome the EMFA as an important step towards protecting and promoting media freedom and pluralism in the EU.

The EMFA establishes common principles for all Member States so that they can effectively address the threats to a free, independent and vibrant journalism in Europe including, among others, media capture, intrusive surveillance, political interference, declining media pluralism and the unchecked power of social media platforms.

However, we also take this opportunity to remind media stakeholders and public authorities that in certain areas, the EMFA only lays down the very minimum of standards. Member States can, and should, go much further in establishing stronger safeguards to protect media freedom and pluralism and journalists’ rights, in particular from the use of intrusive surveillance and spyware.

We now call on the European Commission, national governments, and independent regulatory authorities to work closely with media stakeholders for the EMFA’s full and effective implementation to help strengthen media freedom and pluralism across the European Union.

To aid this process, some of the undersigned organisations will be preparing, where necessary, assessments and recommendations to help Member States, media and civil society stakeholders with this crucial task.

 

Signed: 

  • ARTICLE 19
  • Civil Liberties Union for Europe (Liberties)
  • International Press Institute (IPI)
  • Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD)
  • Media Diversity Institute (MDI)
  • European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF)
  • Association of European Journalists (AEJ Belgium)
  • South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO)
  • Free Press Unlimited (FPU)
  • European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)
  • Society of Journalists, Warsaw
  • OBC Transeuropa (OBCT)
  • Public Media Alliance (PMA)
  • Community Media Forum Europe (CMFE)
  • Independent Journalism Center, Moldova
  • Institute for Regional Media and Information (IRMI, Ukraine)
  • Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
  • Eurocadres
  • Transparency International EU (TI EU)
  • Committee to Protect Journalists
  • European Broadcasting Union (EBU)

 

Source: EFJ

BH journalists: Cyber security and protection against online attacks are a key challenge for journalists in the Zenica region

By
BHJA
-
0

Zenica, 14.3.2024. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, we should demand from the state the construction of a long-term, comprehensive and institutional response to the frequent cyber violence and the increase in online threats to the media and journalists. Appointing contact points in police structures and prosecutor’s offices for better communication with the journalist community and more efficient investigations are only the first step in successfully solving this problem, which has very negative consequences for the work of the media and the entire BiH society. These are just some of the conclusions of the educational training held on Thursday in Zenica, organized by BH journalists and with the participation of journalists and editors from Žepče, Visoko, Tešnj and Zenica.

 

 

Training was organized with the aim of training journalists and media in the local community on the legal framework and protection mechanisms in cases of online threats and attacks, as well as adequate response to the challenges and consequences of this type of violence on the daily work of media professionals, including protection from hacker attacks on media houses.
Nermin Keranović, prosecutor in the Cantonal Prosecutor’s Office of the Canton of Sarajevo and at the same time one of the three prosecutors dealing with cyber crime, recalled the importance of appointing “contact persons” in the Sarajevo Cantonal Prosecutor’s Office in terms of better communication with injured journalists and the media and more effective investigation of specific attacks . He added that they have a certain number of reports from media companies dating back to 2021 and 2022, which this prosecutor’s office is working on solving, while in 2023 the number of hacker attacks was much lower.
“In circumstances where journalists or the media are victims of any criminal offense through an online attack, they have the option, after reporting, directly or through the BiH Journalists Association (BHJA), to inform the contact person that a criminal offense has been committed, and then within the prosecutor’s office itself to start an information system and start an investigation”, said Keranović.
He added that all criminal acts committed against journalists and the media are treated as priorities in the prosecution, and the supervision of the chief cantonal prosecutor in Sarajevo Canton has been established over them. Keranović also believes that journalists and media outlets themselves should be aware of the dangers of cyber attacks and all forms of digital threats.
“Journalists and the media themselves need to take certain steps for self-protection, that is, to maintain their own security of communication channels and to be very careful when using all social networks. Knowledge of minimum security measures, which include the use of strong and unique passwords, double identification, as well as the use of reliable VPN services when accessing the Internet, especially in public places, are basic tools for basic and preventive protection,” prosecutor Keranović concluded.
The police are obliged to provide maximum security to the members of the journalistic community when publishing journalistic assignments, said Aldina Alić from the Police Administration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Zenica-Doboj Canton (ZDK) and added that in order for the police to react, it is necessary that each case needs to be reported in a timely manner.
“After the report, the police act, first establishing the existence of the elements of a criminal offense or misdemeanor. Not every bad word sent is a criminal offense on social networks, and I especially emphasize that so that citizens know. We also need inter-institutional cooperation, that is, work on improving the institutional response to cases of endangering the safety of journalists and increasing sensitivity towards the protection of journalists of all structures and mechanisms within the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Zenica-Doboj Canton,” said Alić.
She assessed the appointment of “contact points” in the Ministry of Internal Affairs as a positive step – in terms of increasing efficiency in investigations of cyber and other online attacks on the media and journalists, and announced new measures to be taken by the Ministry of Internal Affairs – in Zenica – Doboj Canton, which relate to on the creation of their own database and monitoring of various cases, as well as the education of police officers in order to expand their knowledge regarding investigations and treatment of journalists and the media as victims of attacks and threats.
Velida Kulenović, vice-president of BHJA and president of the BHN Club of Journalists of ZDK emphasizes the importance of trainings and educations like this.
“The trainings started by BHJA are of great benefit to journalists as well as the media. I hope that as many journalists as possible, especially young ones, will have the opportunity to attend them. The Helpline operating within BH journalists recorded 35 reports, of which 24 were reports of cyber attacks on journalists and the media. Education on data collection in the case of digital protection processing is extremely important for the media community,” concluded Kulenović.
Educational training was organized as part of USAID’s Independent Media Support Program (MEA) in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is implemented by Internews in partnership with the organization FHI360 and local partners.
The organization of the training and the publication of this report were made possible thanks to the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The content is the sole responsibility of the BH Journalists Association and does not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the US Government.

 

Intimidation of QIKA journalists

By
AJK
-
0

The Association of Journalists of Kosovo has received with concern information from colleagues at QIKA about the ongoing disturbing messages and visits they have received from a teacher (whose name is known to us) regarding a news story published in November of last year.

In an email sent to AJK, QIKA informed about an alleged case of sexual harassment at the “Nazmi Zhegrova” school in the village of Stanoc i Ulët in the Municipality of Vushtrri. The case was initially reported by koha.net and then republished by QIKA, referencing the source without revealing the identity of the teacher involved.

“On February 26, 2024, the teacher who was accused of sexual harassment by a student wrote messages on QIKA’s social networks. He asked QIKA to remove the news about this case because, according to him, it was slander. The same person has constantly called, and written messages on our social networks, as well as in emails. On March 4, 2024, he came to our offices, disturbing the QIKA staff with his request to remove the news, referring to a decision of the Directorate of Education in Vushtrri, which, according to him, exonerates him. Last night, on March 12, 2024, he again wrote a message on the social network Instagram, saying, “Don’t force me to visit you again.. Did you understand me?”, It is stated in the email addressed to AJK.

The Association of Journalists of Kosovo sees QIKA staff’s continuous contact and visits to editorial offices to be direct pressure on journalists’ work and a form of intimidation. As a result, AJK calls upon the teacher in question to stop disturbing the QIKA staff and, if needed, file a complaint with online media self-regulatory organizations.

AJK is calling on the Kosovo Police to prioritize this case so that journalists can carry out their work without hindrance or intimidation.

1234...456Page 3 of 456

Regional Platform for advocating media freedom and journalists’ safety is a network of journalist associations and media trade unions in Western Balkans countries established in January 2016 with the financial assistance of the European Union and within the EU Support to Regional Thematic Networks of Civil Society Organisations Program

Contact us: safejournalists@gmail.com

This project is funded by
the European Union

This website was created and maintained with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.