Coalition for Media Freedom: Extremely dangerous attack on Nedim Sejdinovic

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14/07/2022

The Coalition for Media Freedom strongly condemns the most mundane insults that an official of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party made against journalist Nedim Sejdinovic.

We warn the public and state institutions of the extreme danger of such insults, as well as the labeling of Sejdinović as a “Serb-hater”, because they come not only from officials of the ruling party, but also from members of the High Council of the Judiciary.

Vladimir Djukanovic, as a member of the outgoing Assembly of Serbia, namely, was the chairman of the Committee for the Judiciary and, by virtue of that function, a member of the High Council of the Judiciary, i.e. in the position of electing judges. That fact is alarming considering the vulgar insults and threats he made against Sejdinovic. When a person who influences the functioning of the judiciary insults and threatens, then it is an alarm for all citizens of Serbia, whose rights are left to the political powerful who are trying to subjugate the entire judicial system.

The coalition calls on all European and international institutions that deal with the protection of journalists’ rights, as well as human rights in general, to put pressure on the authorities in Serbia in order to stop the erosion of the rule of law and the collapse of the civilizational heritage of modern democratic systems.

We also appeal to the officials of the European Union to make it clear to the authorities in Serbia, and primarily to the President of the Republic and a close friend of Vladimir Djukanovic, Aleksandar Vucic, who has already used all the levers of power, that the arbitrariness of the local rulers will not be tolerated in the process of European integration.

The Coalition for Media Freedom consists of the Association of Media, the Association of Online Media (AOM), the Independent Association of Journalists of Vojvodina (NDNV), the Independent Journalists Association of Serbia (NUNS), the Business Association of the Association of Local and Independent Media “Local Press” and the Slavko Curuvija Foundation.

Gathering in Niksic: The target is again on media workers

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TUMM

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14/07/2022

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NIKSIC, 14.07.2022. – During the broadcast of the event in Niksic, a group of people threatened and verbally attacked the cameraman of Radio Television Niksic, Zoran Ivanovic, while he was performing his duties, reports Radio Television Niksic.

In Niksic, a celebration of Statehood Day was organized on July 13, and during the gathering, a conflict occurred between two groups of citizens.

“Such things are unacceptable in any democratic society, and the management of RTV Niksic calls on the Minister of Internal Affairs, Filip Adzic, and the Director of Police, Zoran Brdjanin, to urgently order that the perpetrators of this dishonorable and illegal act be found and prosecuted as soon as possible. Niksic Television has video material that are available to the authorities,” said the local public broadcaster.

As they said, they believe that the Commission for Investigating Attacks on Journalists, the Media Union and professional journalist associations will monitor the case.

“Our colleague Ivanovic has just filed a report because of this attack. At the same time, we thank the citizens of Niksic who prevented a more serious attack on our colleague. This is proof that in these difficult times there are people who inspire hope that a civil and civilized Montenegro exists. We just need that the competent authorities do their part of the job professionally,” they said from that media.

As the Pobjede portal reports, their journalist was also the target of threats.

“Threats were sent to the Pobjeda journalist, who asked the group with Serbian national symbols which organization they belonged to,” reports the daily.

Albania: Media coverage of Safe Journalists Report 2021

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Tirana

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11/07/2022

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The Safe Journalists Report “Indicators on the Level of Media Freedom and Journalists’ Safety in Albania 2021”, authored by Blerjana Bino, and reviewed by Kristina Voko, has received considerable media attention in Albania and it was also disseminated with all relevant stakeholders.

Voice of America Coverage of the Report (link)

Euronews Albania Interview of Author of the Report (link)

Other media coverage can be found here, here, here and here.

IJAS: Pressure on journalists in Vranje again

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IJAS

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08/07/2022

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After the harassment of OK Radio journalists, Vranje journalists from Vranje are once again the target of pressure, this time in the form of insults and name-calling by people close to the Serbian Progressive Party.

Velimir Bulatovic, the father of the MP of the Serbian Progressive Party from Vranjska Banja, Slavisa Bulatovic, recently attacked and insulted journalists from Danas, N1 and the InfoVranjska portal on his Facebook profile, calling them “journalist cattle”.

After InfoVranjski wrote again about the affairs of Bulatovic, he used the online space once again to insult, this time by targeting the journalist of the mentioned portal, Slavomir Kostic.

InfoVranjske has been under pressure for years for its critical reporting, and last year it was the target of a SLAPP lawsuit by the Millennium Team. The pressure continues in the form of insults and belittling.

“Portal InfoVranjske.rs believes that this is another classic attack on independent journalism in Vranje. It is obvious that they cannot or do not want to talk, and that their language is the language of insults. The portal will not give up its principles and practices, regardless of insults, humiliations and frequent threats. Our mission is clear- the citizens of the city of Vranje must know the truth, and we have not given up on it, nor do we plan to do so,” said Mihajlo Stojkovic, editor-in-chief of InfoVranjske, regarding the latest pressures.

The Independent Journalists Association of Serbia strongly condemns the insulting of journalists by Velimir Bulatovic. We invite Mr Bulatovic, as well as all political officials and people close to them, to be polite in their responses to the reporting of journalists, which is in the public interest of citizens. In accordance with the law, holders of public and political functions must suffer a greater degree of criticism related to the results of their work and related to the performance of their function, regardless of whether they feel personally harmed by the expression of those opinions. Since in his address via social networks he called on state authorities to deal with journalism, we remind Mr Bulatovic that state authorities cannot deal with the editorial policy of the media, nor are they allowed to put pressure on journalists and the media in any way.

Independent Journalists Association of Serbia

July 8, 2022

Tirana: Blerjana Bino, joined the National Barometer of Human Rights in the COVID19 Pandemic

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Tirana

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07/07/2022

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Blerjana Bino, Researcher of Safe Journalists in Albania, participated in the panel discussion following the publication of the National Barometer of Human Rights in the COVID19 Pandemic in Albania, organised by the Albanian Helsinki Committee in Tirana on 07 July 2022. This is done in the framework of the project “Monitoring fundamental rights and freedoms during the global Covid-19 pandemic and strengthening civil society in Albania” financially supported by the Balkan Trust for Democracy and USAID.

Ms Bino focused her input on the challenges of access to information for journalists during the COVID19 pandemic in 2020 and the following year based on the findings of the Safe Journalists Indicator on the Level of Media Freedom and Safety of Journalists for Albania for 2020 and 2021.

RTSH coverage of the event here

CitizenChannel coverage of the event here

IPI: PM Edi Rama must reverse journalist press conference ban

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IJAS

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06/07/2022

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Open letter to Prime Minister Edi Rama from international press freedom groups over decision to ban journalists from press conferences

Dear Edi Rama, Prime Minister of Albania,

CC.

Endri Fuga, Director General of the Media and Information Agency

Teresa Ribeiro, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media

Olivér Várhelyi, EU Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement

Alexis Hupin, Chargé d’affaires at EU Delegation to Albania,

Dunja Mijatović, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights

Yuri Kim, U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Albania

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Dear Prime Minister Rama,

The undersigned media freedom and freedom of expression organisations are writing to protest against your recent decision to unilaterally ban journalists from attending government press conferences and demand they undergo “re-education” after they asked challenging questions about matters of public interest.

Our organisations are concerned that these arbitrary restrictions seriously affect the ability of the press to carry out its watchdog role and seek answers about challenging issues. They are also emblematic of deeper problems regarding access to information for journalists and the obstruction of free and independent journalism in Albania, which ranks 103rd in RSF’s World Press Freedom Index, dropping annually by 20 places.

We note that during a joint press conference with Foreign Affairs Minister Olta Xhaçka on 1 July 2022, you responded to questions asked to the minister by journalist Klevin Muka of CNN affiliate A2 by telling him that he had violated the journalistic code of ethics and that he needed to undergo three months of “re-education” before he would be welcome at future press events.

In our assessment, the questions from Mr. Muka involved a legitimate matter of public interest on the recently established Code of Ethics of the Council of Ministers and potential conflicts of interest involving the minister in question, and therefore justified a response. Instead, he now faces an arbitrary three-month ban from press conferences, which will seriously affect his ability to properly carry out his professional duties.

Concerningly, we note this is not the first time a journalist has faced such a restriction. During a press conference outside the headquarters of the Socialist Party in March 2022, you told Syri.net TV journalist Ambrioza Meta that she required “re-education” and was barred from press conferences for 60 days, after she asked public interest questions about the arrest of a Socialist party MP and a corruption case linked to incinerators.

To our understanding, no formal administrative sanction exists in Albania which allows journalists to be unilaterally banned from attending government press conferences by individual politicians, even those holding executive office. It is our view therefore that the measures imposed on both Klevin Muka and Ambrioza Meta were arbitrary and unjustified.

In a democratic society, it is not the role of elected officials to personally impose disciplinary measures on individual journalists over what they consider to be alleged breaches of ethics. We therefore urge you to immediately reverse the restriction on Klevin Muka and to refrain from imposing such measures on all members of the press in the future.

Our organisations believe strongly in professionalism and integrity of the journalistic profession, for which there are important initiatives in Albania underway. However, adherence to journalistic ethics and standards should be observed and handled from within the journalistic community itself, rather than imposed by political forces.

More generally, we see these restrictions as illustrative of wider problems regarding access to information for journalists and media freedom in Albania, issues our organisations have repeatedly raised concerns about. We also note the protest organised by journalists in Tirana on 4 July 2022, which criticised the restriction as emblematic of broader efforts by political forces to dictate what questions can and cannot be asked by journalists at press conferences.

We hope to see this situation remedied as quickly as possible. Moving forward, our organisations will also continue to monitor the situation for media freedom in Albania and to push for measures which foster a better climate for independent and watchdog media. We look forward to seeing your response and welcome any opportunity for further discussion.

Signed:

European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF)

European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)

Free Press Unlimited (FPU)

International Press Institute (IPI)

OBC Transeuropa (OBCT)

Reporters Without Borders (RSF)

SafeJournalists Network

Awarding of certificates to the participants of the expert seminar on the topic: “Strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPP), comparative experiences and practice for recognition and prevention”

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AJM

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04/07/2022

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The Association of Journalists of Macedonia and the office of the Council of Europe on 28.06.2022 awarded certificates for the participation of some of the participants in the expert seminar on the topic: “Strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPP), comparative experiences and practice for recognition and prevention” which are held from April 14 to 16 in Gevgelija.

The awarding of participation certificates was in an informal atmosphere, which was attended by some of the participants as well as representatives from the Council of Europe.

Transparency of media advertising: Public administration hides data

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TUMM

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30/06/2022

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newspapers-g7dfd6666c_1920 — PHOTO: Pixabay.com

PODGORICA, 30.06.2022 – Although the Law on Media introduced the principle of transparency in the financing of media from public revenues almost two years ago, the first such report, which refers to 2021, contains only partial data.

The reason is that the majority of public administration bodies ignored the legal obligation and did not submit the necessary data to the Ministry of Culture and Media.

“Public sector bodies show a critically low level of transparency. Out of a total of 663, 60 submitted reports, which is only nine percent. It is obvious that in the first year of application of the norms from the Media Law, which obliges public sector bodies to submit data on the funds they paid to the media on the basis of advertising and public services this obligation has been disregarded. During 2021 and the beginning of 2022, the competent Ministry sent notifications to the public sector bodies on the content of the obligations they have under the Law on Media, in order to try to prevent the danger that the majority does not submit data. It is obvious that this activity did not bring the required result “, states the report of that ministry.

Pursuant to the provisions of the Law on Media, the media are also obliged to submit such reports, but the Ministry is satisfied with their response.

“The report on the transparency of media financing from public revenues showed that the media showed a certain level of transparency. Out of the total number of media registered with the Agency for Electronic Media (AEM), 75 provided data on financing from public sector bodies, which is about 37 percent of active media. The media that dominate the Montenegrin market provided data. Those that did not provide data are mostly online publications established during 2022 or the previous few years, as well as most radio stations, “states the report.

Data from the report from two sources differ, so the media reported revenues from advertising and contracts with public authorities in the amount of almost four million euros without VAT, while the public sector reported half a million less.

“According to the data provided by the public sector bodies, a total of 3,360,197.13 euros was allocated for public services and a total of 115,276.28 euros for advertising and other contracted services. According to the data provided by the media, the amount paid for public services is 3,217,779.92 euros, and for advertising and other contracted services 769,725.00 euros”, the report says.

For non-compliance with this obligation, the Law on Media provides for penalties for both public administration bodies and the media, but the report does not state whether such proceedings have been initiated.

“Media coverage of tragic events tragic”

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IJAS

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29/06/2022

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Exactly one month ago, the news of the double murder that happened in Kosovska Mitrovica resounded throughout the region, when, as it is suspected, the young man killed his twin brother and father. This case was followed by media reports, many of which were based on unverified, and as it turned out, inaccurate information. The Secretary General of NUNS, Tamara Filipović Stevanović, spoke for KoSSev about media reporting and their impact on the lives of citizens, especially if tragic events are reported.

“Reporting on tragic events in our media, we can freely say that it is tragic,” said Filipović Stevanović.

He says that the monitoring of the Press Council testifies to that.

“He showed that in the last six months, the code was violated in 10 national print media 2,129 times under Chapter Seven of the Code of Journalists of Serbia, which refers to the right to privacy, as well as 2,727 times under Chapter four, which refers to the responsibility of journalists.” she said.

He claims that these chapters are most often violated when reporting on tragic events.

She pointed out that this is an indicator that the level of professionalism in reporting on unpleasant events is very low and that it is necessary to improve it urgently.

“We need to somehow convince media workers and journalists that they have the greatest impact on those affected by these tragedies and that it seriously affects their lives and the lives of their families,” said NUNS Secretary General Tamara Filipovic Stevanovic.

Let us remind you, the tragedy that shook Kosovska Mitrovica exactly a month ago, but also the region, when, as it is suspected, 29-year-old BM killed his twin brother in his sleep, BU, and then his father, 66-year-old BM, otherwise known. retired prosecutor and lawyer, filled the columns of local and regional media for two days.

While Serbian tabloids raced through difficult headlines and details, many of which turned out to be inaccurate, or at least unconfirmed and unverified in relation to the official version of the accident, some Kosovo media published a paparazzi video of the young man being taken from hospital accompanied by police and with handcuffs on their hands, as well as groups of young men – mutual friends of the twins, who shouted in shock and ran towards the young man. All these contents violate the code of ethics of reporting, violate the rights and dignity of both the victim and the suspect.

Source: Kossev/Serbia Posts English

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