SEEMO osuðuje tretman novinara u Crnoj Gori i Srbiji

21.07.2005.

SEEMO PROTEST MONTENEGRO

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 alarmed about an incident that took place in the municipal building in Rozaj.

SEEMO is informed that on 7 July, Aida Skorupan, correspondent for the Podgorica daily newspaper Vijesti, was forced to leave a press conference held by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the municipal building in Rozaj. SEEMO understands that an employee of the municipal office forced Ms. Skorupan to leave the building, explaining that the order was given by the Mayor. He added that according to your instructions, Ms.
Skorupan could not be present at any future meetings taking place in the building.

SEEMO condemns this treatment of a journalist, especially since the incident occurred during a press conference organised by an international organisation inside a municipal building. Municipal buildings, like any other public space, should be made accessible to all journalists working in Rozaj.

SEEMO PRESS RELEASE SERBIA

According to information before SEEMO, the new municipal assembly of the town of Valjevo replaced Olga Petrovic, editor-in-chief and managing director of the local municipal weekly, Napred, with Jovan Bugarski, a member of the Serbian Socialist Party (SPS).

SEEMO is also informed that Napred journalists, who have been on strike since 11 July in protest of Petrovic's replacement, were not allowed to enter the premises of the weekly.

SEEMO condemns the replacement of the editor-in-chief by the new local government, which was elected in last year's local elections. "This situation is even more worrying, since it is an old practice in Serbia that a newly elected government names new editors-in-chief; a process that goes against all journalistic principles," said Oliver Vujovic, SEEMO Secretary General. "Also, the right of journalists to recommend or to vote in a new
editor-in-chief has not been respected."

"SEEMO would like to emphasise that governments should not interfere in the editorial independence of any media outlet and that a free working environment for journalists is a basic principle of any democratic society," Vujovic added.

Povratak