The Croatian Journalists’ Association condemns the alarming threats directed at Miljenko Jergović, a multiple award winning writer and journalist and a member of the CJA. The first threat was written on Thursday on the facade of the building in Zagreb where colleague Jergović lives, and the following day another disturbing graffiti appeared at a different location which, in addition to him, also mentioned opposition politician Dalija Orešković, who had expressed support for him. The threatening messages are clear and unambiguous, and their aim is to intimidate individuals in society who speak out critically. Since it is evident that the threat was directed at a journalist in connection with his professional work, namely his writing and public engagement in the media, the police, that is the State Attorney’s Office, should prosecute it ex officio. The law provides for a prison sentence of up to three years for such an offence.
The CJA calls on the Government, and especially the Ministry of Culture and Media, to stop attacks on journalists, who in recent times have been targeted by certain groups together with cultural workers. Instead of cynicism from leading political figures, we demand enforcement of the law and respect for the Constitution.
The CJA also considers the announcement by veterans’ associations to file a criminal complaint against journalist Melita Vrsaljko, following their recent assault on her in Benkovac, to be a new act of intimidation against a journalist, which we will not accept.
We remind everyone who would dictate to others what and how they may speak that freedom of opinion and expression is guaranteed by the Constitution, and this is a right we will never give up.
On behalf of the Executive Board of the Croatian Journalists’ Association,
Hrvoje Zovko, President of the CJA
Chiara Bilić, Vice President of the CJA
Drago Hedl, Vice President of the CJA