SafeJournalists Network expresses deep concern over the threats of rape that female journalists from Montenegro received last week.
An unknown person sent an e-mail containing threats of rape to the editor of portal M, Danica Nikolic. Threats were directed at Nikolic and her other female colleagues from different media Tamara Nikcevic, Bojana Dabovic, Mirka Devic i Slavica Kruscic Vasovic. The case was immediately reported to the police and prosecution.
Trade Union of Media of Montenegro (TUMM) warns that the threats which female journalists received were very problematic because this was the first time that such a massive threat had occurred in Montenegro, and the targets were all female journalists. “The competent authorities must react urgently to put an end to this phenomenon and so that the perpetrator would be adequately punished. In recent years, TUMM often highlights the promptness of the police, prosecutor’s offices and courts when it comes to new cases of attacks on journalists. However, Danica Nikolic was a target several times and as far as we know, nothing was done, so her experience is different and we appeal to change that”, said president of TUMM, Radomir Krackovic.
The SafeJournalists network, which represents media professionals in the Western Balkans, joins its member TUMM and calls on the authorities to take this case seriously and urgently find the person who sent the threats and process the case.
The SafeJournalists network will inform relevant national and international stakeholders about this case and it will put a special emphasis in its work on the safety of female journalists.
Each attack on journalists is an attack on public interest, democracy, and the rights of all citizens.
Pristina – Skopje – Sarajevo – Zagreb – Belgrade – Podgorica, 18.12.2023
Association of Journalists of Kosovo
Association of Journalists of Macedonia
BH Journalists Association
Croatian Journalists’ Association
Independent Journalists Association of Serbia
Trade Union of Media of Montenegro