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Najoštrije kazniti napadače na novinara Senada Župljanina

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BEOGRAD, 06.09.2016. – Nezavisno udruženje novinara Srbije najoštrije osuđuje huliganski fizički napad na novopazarskog novinara Senada Župljanina i poziva nadležno tužilaštvo da pokrene odgovarajući krivični postupak protiv trojice identifikovanih nasilnika.

Odeljenje za informisanje Gradske uprave Novog Pazara saopštilo je da su njihovog fotoreportera Senada Župljanina juče pre podne fizički napali pripadnici obezbeđenja Muamera Zukorlića.

U saopštenju se navodi da je Župljanin napadnut tokom radnog zadatka, dok je fotografisao nelegalno izvođenje građevinskih radova na gradskom trgu.

U izjavi za NUNS Senad Župljanin je ukratko opisao napad.

“Dana 05. 09. 2016. negde oko 11h, dobio sam od svog načelnika nalog da na gradskom trgu fotografišem objekat na kojem su se trenutno izvodili neki radovi. Dok sam završavao fotografisanje kroz objektiv sam primetio čoveka koji je video šta radim i odmah počeo da mi preti. U jednom trenutku naredio je nekome da me sustigne i oduzme mi foto aparat. Dok sam se udaljavao sa mesta događaja sustigla su me tri meni  nepoznata mladića i pokušali da mi oduzmu foto aparat, što, naravno, nisam dozvolio. Sve vreme su me šikanirali. Jedan od njih mi je rekao ‘izbriši muftiju i biće sve uredu’. Odgovorio sam mu da na mojim fotografija nije muftija, ali mi on nije poverovao već me udario po levoj nozi i oborio na asfalt. Dok sam ležao na ulici njih trojica su nasrtali na mene i na foto aparat. Ko zna šta bi se desilo da se sa u tom trenutku nije pojavio čovek, kasnije sam saznao da je inspektor MUP-a Barac, koji me zaštitio”, navodi Senad Župljanin.

O drskosti napadača svedoči i to što je jedan od njih nastavio da udara Župljanina dok je ležao, i dok je inspektor pokušavao da prekine nasilje.

 

CJA condemns insults against journalists Zdenko Duka at HDZ pre-election meeting

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11.09.2016.

During pre-election meeting in Zagreb, on Thursday, September 8, Zdenko Duka, journalists and former CJA president, was reputedly verbally attacked by some participants of the meeting. Zdenko Duka attended the meeting in capacity of daily Novi list reporter.

He was offended and yelled at to work for SDP and against Croatia. And that he is a spy.

At one moment one rather large group started to take photos of Zdenko Duka as they shouted his name.

CJA condemns insults shouted against journalist Zdenko Duka at HDZ pre-election meeting as well as any offence and verbal attack on journalists doing their jobs. We remind organizers of political and other public meetings that they legally have to take care about order and peace at public meetings they organize. We alarm them that if verbal violence should turn to physical, they are to be responsible.

Saša Leković, CJA president

Martinovic to be released pending further procedure

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PODGORICA, 02.09.2016. -The European and International Federations of Journalists (EFJ/IFJ), the Trade Union of Media of Montenegro (SMCG) is a full member of, have sent a letter to Montenegrin officials urging them to provide a fair trial to freelance journalist Jovo Martinovic, who has been in custody since October 2015, and to allow him to be on pre-trial release.

The letter was delivered to President of Montenegro Filip Vujanovic, Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic, the Ombudsman Sucko Bakovic, Minister of Justice Zoran Pazin, the Supreme State Prosecutor Ivica Stankovic, the Chief Special Prosecutor Milivoje Katnic, President of the High Court Boris Savic, High Court judge Dragoje Jovic, Head of Mission of EU delegation in Montenegro Aivo Orav and High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini.

In the letter signed by the IFJ president Philippe Leruth and EFJ president Mogens Blicher it is stated that they are writing to the officials “with continued grave concerns over the court proceedings against internationally highly respected freelance Montenegrin journalist  Jovo Martinovic”.

“He was charged with membership of a criminal organisation and with drugs trafficking. Jovo Martinovic had been detained on suspicion of participating in a drug trafficking ring since October 22, 2015. We are shocked by the gravity of his possible sentence being more than 10 years in prison. The EFJ and IFJ urge the Montenegrin authorities to consider his journalistic work as a possible   explanation   for   his   alleged   contacts   with   drug   traffickers   while   many   other testimonies in his support have come from prominent journalists all over the world”, the letter said.

They added that Martinovic insisted he was not guilty, saying that his contacts with the other suspects were purely linked to his work as a journalist.

“His interactions with two of the other 17 suspects in the alleged drug-trafficking were part of his journalistic work. We urge you to submit as soon as possible the case files and allow Jovo Martinovic to defend himself. We demand that Jovo Martinovic be out on pre-trial release and that custody is not converted into imprisonment even before the trial has even started”.

The letter stated that in line with International standards of the Council of Europe, the courts had to take account of Martinovic’s status as a journalist. “The criminalisation of journalists who specialise in sensitive subjects poses an imminent threat to press freedom”, the letter said.

“We also wish to remind you that the Montenegrin government is required to respond to the alert about the Martinovic case that has been registered on the Council of Europe’s platform for the protection of journalism back on 13 April, see “Freelance journalist and fixer Jovo Martinovic in custody since October 2015.” He is known for his work on investigative stories, and has contributed reporting and research to many international news media outlets, such as The Economist, Newsday, Global Post, The Financial Times, Die Süddeutsche Zeitung, and VICE media group.

Thank you very much for paying attention to this letter. We also wish to refer to reactions by other press freedom organisations such as the Committee to Protect Journalists, see letter from April 19 of this year, and by Reporters without Borders and BIRN”, it was said at the end of the letter.

Condemning the threats against journalist Mislimi by minister Ahmeti

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SKOPJE, 02.09.2016 Association of Journalists of Macedonia strongly condemns the verbal threats of Ecology Minister Bashkim Ahmeti yesterday by mobile phone against the journalist and the owner of the web portal
Tetovo Sot, Rami Mislimi.

Threats and humiliation of journalists by senior power officials have no place in civilized and democratic countries!

Any threat to a journalist is an attack on freedom of expression, media freedom and the public’s right to be informed.

Only childish personalities who by accident became ministers can afford in this inappropriate way to address a journalist. Bashing a journalist than hiding behind immunity is an act of cowardice and primitivism.

We ask Prime Minister Emil Dimitriev and DUI leader Ali Ahmeti to publicly condemn this unacceptable behavior of Minister Ahmeti!

Skopje, 02.09.2016

Association of Journalists of Macedonia

Journalists demand Bozinovski to be released from custody

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SKOPJE, 01.09.2016 We are here today before the court in Skopje to express our solidarity with the journalist Zoran Bozinovski, who for three years was exposed to prosecution because of his work as a journalist.

We remind judges that Macedonia is the second country in Europe where there is a journalist in jail. First Tomislav Kezarovski was sentenced now Bozinovski, we are wondering who will be next. In a country where journalists are jailed, also freedom of speech and freedom of the media are jailed. Such actions are intended to punish the disobedient journalists and discipline and intimidate others.

We are not here to put pressure on the court and tell them what decisions should be taken. We are here to raise our voice against injustice.

Bozinovski still not convicted already spent nearly two years in prison, including 18 months in extradition custody in Serbia and four months in Macedonia. Judges who refuse to impose detention of politicians suspected of breaking the democratic order of the country, but easily detain journalists have no right to hide behind the principle of judicial independence.

We ask Bozinovski immediately be released from detention and allow as some former officials. If there is no danger politicians suspected of serious crimes to leave the country, then even less likely that a journalist will escape justice.

We insist Bozinovski’s case be handed over to the Special Prosecutor’s Office because their jurisdiction over this case is undeniable. Any refusal of the prosecution to hand over the case, would mean disabling justice and increasing public suspicion that someone wants at all costs to condemn journalist in prison in retaliation for publishing the abuses of power by authorities.

AJM expresses solidarity with Turkish journalists and media

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SKOPJE 29.07.2016 The Association of Journalists of Macedonia has joined the International Federation of Journalists and initiative in support against the wave of attacks targeting journalists and media outlets in Turkey.

Today, AJM send a letter of concern to the Turkish Ambassador, H.E. Ömür Şölendil, in which they condemn the mass arrests of journalist and closure of media outlets, that occurred after the coup d’etat attempt. In the letter, the president of AJM, Naser Selmani, called on the Turkish government to refrain from further attacks on journalists and media. “We believe that the state of emergency should not be used as an excuse for widespread purges in media and other sections of society. Censorship of media simply for criticizing government policy is unlawful, even in a state of emergency.” was written in the letter by Selmani.

AJM and all of the members of IFJ and EFJ, call on the Turkish authorities to respect international conventions protecting the human rights, the trade union rights and the freedom of expression.

On this page you can follow up with the current number of imprisoned journalists and media owners in Turkey, reported by EFJ.
In the name of freedom and democracy in Tourkey, we eager to you sing a petition published by Amnesty International

State must sanction threats against journalists

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BELGRADE, 18.07. 2016. – Independent Journalists’ Association of journalists (IJAS) and Independent Journalists’ Association of Vojvodina (IJAV) demand from the authorities to take all legal measures to prevent all direct and serious threats to journalists.

It is incomprehensible that in the light of direct death threats to journalists we lack any public reaction of the competent authority – even a formal condemnation. The prosecutorial and judicial tolerance that sees the messages “I would give you a bullet in the forehead” or “you need to burn” as “expression of opinion” that does not constitute a crime of endangering safety, prosecuted ex officio is unexplainable.

This strengthens a suspicion that behind these attacks, especially on journalists who investigate corruption, organised crime and other sensitive issues, are people close to the government.

The newest case of threats to the newsroom KRIK and journalist Dragana Peco shows once again that the lack of adequate sanctions encourages the enemies of freedom of information and expression, which continuously and recklessly endanger the safety of journalists in Serbia.

Journalist Dragana Peco and other journalists of portal KRIK received threats through social networks, stating they “should be lined up and shoot as foreign agents in Serbia.” They were also told: “Who are you to ask for information on work records of the head of the state and government, f*** your treacherous mother,” and “when you come to look for the information, I’ll be there, and I’ll f***your mother.”

KRIK journalists identified the person who treated them and submitted the information to the Prosecutors’ office.
IJAS and IJAV remind the public that these threats were preceded by several months campaign against the KRIK, whose editor in chief was labeled as “mafia”, “spy”, “media terrorists”, etc,. in tabloid Informer and other media close to the government

The proposal on committee establishment is an attack on the professional autonomy of journalists

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PODGORICA, 12.06.2016. – The draft decision on establishing an interim committee for supervising investigations on jeopardising safety of journalists and media outlets, which would deal with the “analysis of the autonomy degree in the work of journalists and their independence, including media owners” – precisely represents an attack on our professional autonomy.

If a committee with these powers was formed, we fear that it would only further jeopardise media freedom in Montenegro because it is inconceivable in a democracy that politicians are engaged in controlling journalists’ work. The situation in the developed world is reversed – journalists are the ones whose principal job is to control the work of politicians, who are paid by all taxpayers, whereas politicians do not deal with how autonomous each journalist is. After all, it is also unclear how such a thing can be determined. And since we often refer to the rules of the democratic states, we would like this initiative proponents to tell us whether there is a parliamentary or any other competent authority with such powers elsewhere.

We agree that it is necessary to ensure the autonomy of journalists in the sense that the owners and editors must not publish an article or a video with the journalist’s signature, if their content is substantially modified or if it opposes the journalist’s moral principles. In this case, the article or the video report can only be released without the journalist’s signature. We also agree that journalist should be free to work and deal with topics of social importance in a professional, objective and critical way…

Trade Union of Media of Montenegro (SMCG) will propose similar norms in the media branch collective agreement and we will insist that such activities of editorial staff are treated as a serious violation of work duties. This is a measure known in contemporary journalism. However, “analysis of journalists’ autonomy degree” would certainly represent a new, revolutionary (in the negative sense) achievement in this regard.

SMCG appreciates concern of the initiative proposer from the ruling parties who believe that the job security of journalists would be ensured in this way but it can be done much more efficiently by other means. MPs should insist more actively that the media owners obey the labour related laws. Also, the lawmakers should continuously analyse the possibility of improving these laws, in order to improve the gloomy financial situation of media employees, instead of making confusing laws such as the Law on Public Sector Salaries. This law is the reason why colleagues working in the RTCG public broadcaster and local public broadcasters do not know when they will receive their salaries and how much they will be paid.

Also, we cannot help feeling that this issue is used for a new political dispute. The committee establishing was proposed along with the initiative for setting up the new commission for monitoring the activities of the competent authorities in the investigation of old and recent cases of threats and violence against journalists. While it is good that several competent bodies are dealing with such a great problem in order to finally solve the cases of the attacks on journalists, the experience in Montenegro shows that establishing several bodies for the same thing often leads to reducing strength of the basic initiative and obstruction coming from one side. The experience of the previous commission confirms it.

Finally, SMCG says that our members are always ready to have their work checked and their respect for professional standards analysed. However, politicians cannot do that, but only independent regulators and citizens, who the media exist for and who the politicians should be accountable to.

SMCG Main Board.

Appropriate punishment for attacker of journalist Cupic

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BELGRADE, 06.05.2016. – Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (IJAS) and the Independent Journalists’ Association of Vojvodina (IJAV) demand from the authorities to urgently shed light on the attack on Aleksandar Cupic, the editor of E-Vrsac portal, and requested an appropriate sentence for the attacker.

We welcome a swift reaction of the police who arrested the suspect who intentionally hit by truck a Cupic in the village Parta near Vrsac. Attacker is the son of a local businessman who was a topic of in several Cupic journalist investigations. Cupic is currently in Vrsac hospital, where he is recovering from the attack.

In according to the Criminal Law attacks on journalists is considering as an attack on an official, IJAS and IJAV remind the public, and that endangering their safety envisaged special penalties.

In addition, we emphasize that the safety of journalists has been seriously compromised in Serbia for some time and that raising the level of safety of persons performing activities of public interest in the field of information, and severely sanctioning attacks on them, is one of the most important obligation of Serbia in the negotiation process with the EU.

Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia
Independent Journalists’ Association of Vojvodina