Ognen Janeski, a journalist from the Macedonian private television station TV 24, on June 27, in two live TV shows, received public threats of violence against journalists and media workers working in the country’s television stations from an unknown viewer.
More specifically, during the TV show “Vo tek” on TV 24, which is of a TV format, an anonymous viewer threatened to beat all journalists from the televisions, representing hate speech towards the entire journalistic profession, media workers, and televisions at all. The same person, through an additional call in the afternoon TV show “Ochi v Ochi”, verbally threatened Ognen Janeski with the words: “And those who call and support you, lift you up to the sky, will bring you down.” The same ones again. Thank you for the lawsuit you will file against me. And we will meet in another place, where you live”, an act that threatens his safety.
The case has been reported to the competent public prosecutor in Skopje, a quick investigation is expected, so that such cases are sanctioned immediately.
The Association of Journalists of Macedonia (AJM) says that such public verbal threats on journalist’s media workers are unacceptable. Mladen Chadikovski, the president of AJM, says that these comments can cause fear among journalists and media workers and threaten their safety by inciting violence. ,”It is time to realize the seriousness of this kind of verbal attacks and end the unsanctioned behavior against media workers”, concludes Chadikovski.
The SafeJournalists network, which represents more than 8.200 media professionals in the Western Balkans, strongly condemns verbal attacks and threats to media workers and calls on the authorities to adequately sanction the perpetrators.
SafeJournalists Network will inform relevant national and international stakeholders about this case.
Each attack on journalists is an attack on public interest, democracy and rights of all citizens.
Skopje – Belgrade – Podgorica – Pristina – Sarajevo – Zagreb – Tirana, 29.06.2023
Association of Journalists of Macedonia
Association of Journalists of Kosovo
BH Journalists Association
Croatian Journalists’ Association
Independent Journalists Association of Serbia
Trade Union of Media of Montenegro