PODGORICA, 24.09.2021. – Several murders of journalists in the European Union in recent years, as many as 900 attacks on them during 2020, more and more SLAPP lawsuits and online threats have led the European Commission (EC) to make recommendations to EU member states to protect responsible journalism and preserve media independence.

In its recommendations, the EC calls for the creation of independent national support services, which would include helplines, legal advice, psychological support and shelters for media workers facing threats.

Members are also advised to encourage better cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the media, educate media employees on social protection and provide personal protection to journalists whose safety is endangered.

It is crucial, according to the European Commission, that there is no discrimination against the media, and that everyone has equal access to information, press conferences and government documents.

Working together with journalists’ representatives is necessary, according to the EC’s recommendations, in order to adopt appropriate protection measures when reporting on protests, such as the visual identification of media employees.

According to the EC, digital or online security has become the main concern of journalists due to the spread of hate speech, receiving threats of physical attacks, but also the risks related to online security and illegal surveillance.

Relevant national authorities should, on the advice of the Commission, assist journalists when requesting a threat check for their devices or online accounts.

According to the European Commission, online threats are on the rise across the EU, with women and members of minority groups working in the media being the most exposed. These groups, they say, are particularly vulnerable to threats and attacks. It is especially worrying when such attacks are initiated by politicians or powerful public figures, the Commission points out.

The recommendations advise Member States to support initiatives aimed at empowering women journalists, minority media professionals and those reporting on equality issues.

These recommendations were first published as part of the European Democracy Action Plan, which is part of the European Union’s broader efforts to support media freedom and pluralism.

As part of that plan, the Commission is announcing a European law on media freedom next year, which should protect the independence of the media.

The Association of Journalists of Kosovo – AJK, today signed the Memorandum of Cooperation with AAB College.

This memorandum was signed to intensify professional and academic cooperation in the field of journalism and media studies, based on the advancement and raising of journalism standards.

The Memorandum of Cooperation is of interest and for the benefit of both parties, as it will enable further training and professionalization of journalism students, the opportunity for cooperation with journalists, the development of lectures of mutual interest and joint activities in order to advance development of the media environment in Kosovo.

AJK aims to sign memoranda of this nature with other organizations and institutions, which are based on the advancement of journalism students and journalists.

The Independent Association of Journalists of Serbia condemns the threats received by Zoran Sekulic, editor in chief of FoNet news agency and the attacks and obstructions experienced by the journalists of N1 Television, and demands from the competent authorities to react and investigate these cases and prosecute the perpetrators.

After appearing on N1 morning tv show, Zoran Sekulic received a threatening and insulting message via the social network Facebook, while N1 journalists Vanja Djuric and Filip Lukic were disturbed, insulted and shot with eggs during a protest of opponents of vaccination and extremist organizations. In case of obstruction of the work of the TV N1 team, we commend the reaction of the members of the police who enabled the journalists to continue reporting.

Unfortunately, these cases are just a continuation threat to the safety of independent and professional journalists in Serbia, which is a consequence of the negative atmosphere in society created primarily by government officials and regime media, but also the selective approach of competent authorities to attacks on journalists. Following the example of powerful politicians, many citizens give themselves the right to insult, slander and attack journalists and media workers, and the frequent disinterest and even obstruction of the competent authorities make it impossible for numerous cases of attacks and pressure to be processed and received a court epilogue.

NUNS will inform the competent authorities about the latest cases, record it in the Database of attacks and pressures on journalists and inform international organizations about them.

The Association of Journalists of Kosovo condemns the lynching of the Branch of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) in Suhareka toward the journalist, Uran Haxha.

The branch of the political party LDK in Suhareka last night via a Facebook post, has lynched the journalist Haxha as “the counselor from the underground of Bali Muharremaj”, the opponent of this political party, and that according to them due to Haxha’s presence in the debate, the debate devalued.

For AJK, it is extremely concerning that a political party categorizes journalists in such way and even suggests to the televisions who should be invited on the elections’ debates, for it is a direct interference in the work of media.

We call upon all political parties to refrain from the denigrating language towards journalists and to campaign within the standards.