hrvatsko novinarsko društvo croatian journalists' association
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SEEMO zabrinut za sluèajeve ogranièavanja sloboda, napada na ljudska prava i prijetnji smræu

28.03.2008.

PRESS RELEASE CROATIA

 

Vienna, 27 March 2008

The Vienna-based South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), a network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in South East Europe and an affiliate of the International Press Institute (IPI), joins the Croatian Journalists Association in its support for Zeljko Peratovic, freelance journalist and blogger, in his civil petition passed on 14 March 2008 to the Committee for Internal Politics and National Security and the Council for Civil Supervision of Intelligence Agencies in Croatia. In the petition, Peratovic is asking the authorities to protect his professional rights and freedoms and to cease the pressure to which the Security Intelligence Agency has exposed him to over the past few years.

Zeljko Peratovic was imprisoned on 17 October 2007. He was later released after spending 20 hours in police custody. SEEMO reacted to this case on 6 November 2007 with a protest to Croatian officials. According to the authorities in Zagreb at the time, Peratovic had allegedly published state secrets on his blog. The police confiscated his equipment and materials, including three PCs.

 

SEEMO Secretary General, Oliver Vujovic, said, "Journalists should have the freedom to express themselves and do their job without pressure from State authorities, regardless of the media they work in. Freedom of expression is not only guaranteed by law, but is also the foundation for the democratic development of society. Journalists play an important role in any society by holding others accountable for their actions, and it makes no difference if they carry out this job using new media, such as blogs, or work in the traditional forms.”

 

 

PRESS RELEASE SERBIA

 

Vienna, 27 March 2008

 

The Vienna-based South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), a network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in South East Europe and an affiliate of the International Press Institute (IPI) is deeply concerned by the recent death threats against Momcilo Djorgovic, editor-in-chief of the Serbian weekly Nedeljni Telegraf,  and Danijela Milinkovic, assitant to the editor-in-chief.

 

According to information made available to SEEMO, on 24 March, a letter signed by the “red berets” arrived at the editorial office of the weekly. The “red berets” are the former Special Forces Corps of Serbia. According to the official press release issued by the Nedeljni Telegraf, the letter contained, besides many insults, threats adressed to Djorgovic and Milinkovic warning them to “take care that a bullet is not put through their heads,” or that “they will be blown up.” The editorial office informed the police of the threats.

 

Commenting on the incident, SEEMO Secretary General, Oliver Vujovic, said, "SEEMO strongly condemns all threats against journalists as a violation of the fundamental principle of freedom of expression. I would like to urge an immediate and through investigation by the Serbian authorities.”

 

 

PRESS RELEASE ALBANIA

 

Vienna, 27 March 2008

 

The Vienna-based South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), a network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in South East Europe and an affiliate of the International Press Institute, strongly criticises recent comments made by the Prime Minister of Albania, Sali Berisha, against journalists.

 

According to information before SEEMO, on 18 March 2008, Berisha insulted journalists during a government meeting that was not only carried out in front of reporters, but also broadcast live on television. The Prime Minister was commenting on coverage of an explosion that occurred in Gerdec, near Tirana, on 15 March 2008, and repeatedly insulted journalists reporting on this matter.

 

“We deeply criticise these events and this manner of communication,” said SEEMO Secretary General, Oliver Vujovic, “particularly when it is carried out by public authorities.” Vujovic continued, “SEEMO calls for and strongly supports the maintenance of a respectful environment for journalists and media in Albania, as in every other country, as such an environment is the cornerstone of a true democracy.”

 

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SEEMO is a regional network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in South East Europe.
 

 

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