Serious Violation of Journalist Miroslava Simonovska’s Rights

AJM •︎ 04/11/2024

Serious Violation of Journalist Miroslava Simonovska’s Rights

Translations: Skopje 

  • Case info

  • Personal info

  • Regional center
    Skopje
  • Who was attacked?
    Journalist
  • Gender
    Female
  • Victim(s) name
    Miroslava Simonovska

  • Media outlet

  • Type of media platform
    Radio
    Online Media
  • Source of information about the incident
    https://znm.org.mk/en/serious-violation-of-journalist-miroslava-simonovskas-rights-call-for-an-immediate-investigation/

  • Incident Data

  • Date of incident
    01.11.2024
  • City
    Skopje
  • Perpetrator(s)
    Known (suspected)
  • Attacked by
    By public official(s) and/or representative(s) of the executive power
  • Means of incidents and attacks
    Through media outlets (broadcast, print, online)
  • Type of incident
    Other threats to journalists
  • Type of threat
    Other

  • Action by the authorities

  • Action taken by the journalists' association

  • Was journalist's association informed by the journalists directly?
    Yes
  • What was the reaction of the journalists' association?
    The association reacted publicly
    The association sent a letter of concern to the institutions
    The association informed international organizations and institutions

The Association of Journalists of Macedonia (AJM) and the Independent Trade Union of Journalists and Media Workers (SSNM) express serious concern regarding the recent violation of the fundamental rights of our member, journalist Miroslava Simonovska, involving unauthorized recording and distribution of a video allegedly depicting her receiving a document.

This video, sent to a national television network by the Head of the Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office, Mustafa Hajrulahi, raises serious issues concerning privacy, unlawful surveillance, and journalists’ rights in Macedonia.

The release of unlawfully obtained footage of Miroslava Simonovska violates her privacy and fundamental rights, irrespective of the measures taken to protect identities in the video. Every journalist has the right to move freely and engage in communication with the public without fear of illegal monitoring or privacy breaches.

We believe this action, intended to intimidate and discredit Ms. Simonovska due to her critical work—particularly her investigations involving the Higher Public Prosecutor—constitutes a direct attack on journalistic independence and poses a threat to all professional journalists. This situation risks fostering self-censorship and undermines the crucial role of the media in holding authorities accountable. Disturbingly, this is not an isolated incident, as AJM and SSNM have also received reports this morning from other female journalists citing subtle pressures regarding their coverage of the work of the Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office.

This morning, journalist Miroslava Simonovska filed a criminal complaint with the Skopje Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office for unauthorized recording by a public official.

We call on the Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office to conduct a thorough and prompt investigation into this case without delay, and we urge the relevant institutions to protect the rights and safety of journalists.

AJM and SSNM will inform international media support organizations about this scandalous violation of journalists’ rights, which could have a chilling effect on media freedom in Macedonia. This seriously endangers journalistic freedom, posing a threat not only to journalists but to all citizens who may act as sources exposing abuses within state institutions.

We also urge the media to treat cases involving suspiciously obtained materials with special caution and to strictly adhere to ethical standards.