Zabrinutost zbog iznenadne financijske kontrole u dvije neovisne medijske kuæe u Srbiji

05.07.2006.

IFEX - News from the international freedom of expression community
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ALERT - SERBIA

4 July 2006

Independent media outlets subject to unannounced financial investigations by state officials

SOURCE: Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM)

(ANEM/IFEX) - The following is an ANEM statement:

FINANCIAL CHECKUP FOR UNTAMED MEDIA

BELGRADE, July 4, 2006 - The Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM) is seriously concerned about the presence of finance inspectors on the premises of two independent media in Vranje last week, and warns against the unlawful limitation of freedom of public information by the abuse of power and authority, established by the Public Information Act.

The Vranje-based weekly "Vranjske" and OK Radio, member of ANEM, the only truly independent media in the region of South Serbia, endured a detailed seven-day inspection by representatives of the Taxation Office in Kragujevac. Most disturbing is the fact that unexpected inspections were conducted only in these media outlets, known for their criticism of the local government in Vranje, for which their editors and journalists had been exposed to various forms of pressure.

ANEM recalls the numerous negative examples of the abuse of power over the last decade, aimed at repressing freedom of speech and critical opinion, through targeted visits by financial control officers or other official assessment services, aimed particularly at independent media or media that had been critical of the regime.

ANEM does not dispute the right of the government to ensure respect for regulations in media through its authorized bodies; however, ANEM demands particular caution in such cases, considering the importance of freedom of speech and public information for any society that aspires to be democratic. Discriminatory measures directed exclusively to media critical of the authority in power only indicate an attempt to unacceptably limit the free flow of information to the public.

Sasa Mirkovic,
ANEM Chairman

For further information, contact Chairperson Sasa Mirkovic or Coordinator Sibina Golubovic at ANEM, 13a Marsala Birjuzova Street, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia, tel/fax: +381 11 2622 467 / 3286 355, e-mail: anem@anem.org.yu, Internet: http://www.anem.org.yu

The information contained in this alert is the sole responsibility of ANEM. In citing this material for broadcast or publication, please credit ANEM.
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