Protest zbog prijetnji upuæenih novinarima

25.08.2005.

 From: World Association of Newspapers (WAN), gov.affairs@wan.asso.fr

Mr Vojislav Kostunica
Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia
Belgrade, Republic of Serbia

23 August 2005

Dear Prime Minister,

We are writing on behalf of the World Association of Newspapers, which represents 18,000 publications in 100 countries, to express our serious concern at insults and threats made by Serbian Capital Investments Minister Velimir Ilic to RTV B92 journalists.

According to reports, on 15 August Mr Ilic and his media advisor Petar
Lazovic launched a tirade of verbal abuse at a B92 journalist when she asked Mr Ilic for an explanation of his earlier admission that he had played a part in securing a decision to free Marko Milosevic, son of the former Yugoslav president, from criminal prosecution. Mr Ilic and Mr Lazovic reacted to the question with a flood of obscenities, slander and death threats. The journalist herself was subjected to gender-based insults and broader insults were made against all B92 journalists, in particular editor-in-chief Veran Matic.

The cabinet reportedly discussed Mr Ilic's conduct during a one-hour meeting on 18 August. Although some members of the cabinet were critical of Mr Ilic's behaviour, he reportedly refused to apologise publicly, only accepting a compromise solution of expressing regret in a prepared statement.

We are seriously concerned that a cabinet minister is able to make violent threats against journalists without sanction. Such behaviour is utterly unbecoming for a member of the government and has no place in a democratic society. Mr Ilic's comments are only the latest in a series of outbursts demonstrating his dislike of, and even contempt for, the independent media.

We respectfully remind you that it is the duty of the state to provide an environment in which journalists are able to carry out their professional
duties without fear of intimidation. Such incidents foster a climate of fear that inhibits journalistic investigation and can promote self-censorship.

We respectfully call on you to ensure that Mr Ilic is severelydisciplined and to make it clear that such conduct by ministers will not be tolerated.

We look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience.

Yours sincerely,

Gavin O'Reilly
President
World Association of Newspapers


George Brock
President


 

Povratak