ZAGREB, 14.08.2018. – The Croatian Journalists’ Association (CJA) strongly condemns rough and inappropriate behavior of Zagreb Mayor Milan Bandić, who replied to Ivana Pezo-Moskaljov, Nova TV reporter, by arrogant, sexist and scandalous assaults instead of answering her question.
“if I were that smart, I would work for Nova TV“, he replied to relevant question of the reporter. He obviously did not like her question. When she asked would he denounce her if she had unauthorized dumping in her yard, he answered: „I would not denounce you. I would do something else to you. I would educate you not to do it.” When asked where was waste from unauthorized dumping discarded, he lost self-control and not answering the question snapped the sexist comment: „Do not behave like wicked teacher, be a lady“,
Those statements of Zagreb Mayor show again that he is a politician unable to properly communicate in public. The CJA finds those statemens to be completely inappropriate in public sphere, especially if said by a person at one of the highest and most powerful position in Croatia. Even more so that it is not his first case of offensive behavior against journalists.
It is a job of a journalist to put questions in public interest, and it is a duty of a politician to give adequate and reasoned answers. By denying to answer journalists’ questions politicians show they disrespect citizens and voters. The CJA therefore calls upon all public persons, especially politicians at the responsible positions, to give up offending and attacking journalists – they perform their important duty in citizens’ interest.