SKOPJE, 11.03.2017. – Western Balkan’s Regional Platform for Advocating Media Freedom and Journalists’ Safety expresses full support and solidarity with journalists and media workers in Macedonia who face constant pressures, including physical attacks and death threats.
The fact that public officials and representatives of state institutions are among those involved in coordinated attacks is particularly alarming. Out of 44 attacks against journalists in Macedonia registered in the last four years, 19 took place in the last year.
“While the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg confirmed violation of freedom of expression in Macedonia, not a single violator of journalists’ right was brought to justice by the relevant state institutions.” said Naser Salmani, President of Association of Journalists of Macedonia (AJM).
Members of the Regional Network advocate freedom of expression and the safety of journalists, and request from the Macedonian authorities to immediately prevent all violence against journalists and effectively investigate all previous attacks and sanction the offenders.
The Regional Network strongly supports the Association of Journalists of Macedonia and their efforts to protect journalists and freedom of speech. At the same time, we call on international organizations to put additional pressure on the Macedonian authorities to respect freedom of expression and freedom of media and to ensure journalists’ safety.
Each attack on journalists is attack on public interest, democracy and rights of all citizens.
Association of BH Journalists
Trade Union of Media Montenegro
Croatian Journalists’ Association
Association of Journalists of Kosovo
Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia
Association of Journalists of Macedonia
Sarajevo – Podgorica – Zagreb – Pristina – Belgrade – Skopje