Chronicle of Attacks and Pressures Against Journalists in 2018

Chronicle of Attacks and Pressures against Journalists in 2018 Chronicle of Attacks and Pressures against Journalists in 2018 Belgrade 2018 Chronicle of Attacks and Pressures against Journalists in 2017 Contents Introduction 4 Publisher Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia Safety and Security of Journalists and Resavska 28/II Other Media Professionals 7 11000 Belgrade Table of attacks against journalists from 1 January For the publisher 2018 to 31 December 2018 (verbal, physical, Slaviša Lekić and attacks against property) 10 Authors Marija Vukasović Political, Economic, and Other Pressure Svetozar Raković against Journalists and Other Media Professionals 15 Translation Maša Matiješević Pressures against Journalists through Pre-press Court Procedures 19 Predrag Vučinić Circulation Breaches of the Code of Journalists 22 150 Disregarding of culture and ethics 22 Media Reform 24 Co-financing of public interest in public information 24 General data for 2018 24 Competition irregularities 24 “Expert” commissions and criminal allocations 25 Disputable decision of the Ministry of 26 culture and information New scandal at the competition of 27 the City of Belgrade Traditional abuses of Niš authorities 28 From discrimination to loyalty rewarding 29 Regulatory Body for Electronic Media 30 This publication was published in cooperation with Civil Rights Defenders and with financial support from the Free legal advice service 31 Swedish International Development Agency CONTENTS Chronicle of Attacks and Pressures against Journalists in 2017 Contents Introduction 4 Publisher Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia Safety and Security of Journalists and Resavska 28/II Other Media Professionals 7 11000 Belgrade Table of attacks against journalists from 1 January For the publisher 2018 to 31 December 2018 (verbal, physical, Slaviša Lekić and attacks against property) 10 Authors Marija Vukasović Political, Economic, and Other Pressure Svetozar Raković against Journalists and Other Media Professionals 15 Translation Maša Matiješević Pressures against Journalists through Pre-press Court Procedures 19 Predrag Vučinić Circulation Breaches of the Code of Journalists 22 150 Disregarding of culture and ethics 22 Media Reform 24 Co-financing of public interest in public information 24 General data for 2018 24 Competition irregularities 24 “Expert” commissions and criminal allocations 25 Disputable decision of the Ministry of 26 culture and information New scandal at the competition of 27 the City of Belgrade Traditional abuses of Niš authorities 28 From discrimination to loyalty rewarding 29 Regulatory Body for Electronic Media 30 This publication was published in cooperation with Civil Rights Defenders and with financial support from the Free legal advice service 31 Swedish International Development Agency CONTENTS [ 3 ] Introduction In order to systematically monitor, record, and anal- ernment in Serbia send a clear signal – without any yse developments on Serbia’s media scene the Inde- conditions – condemning all attacks on journalists. pendent Journalists’ Association of Serbia has been using the Early warning system for five years. It is fo- The role of the state in media - Numerous journalists cused on five key areas most directly connected to and editors interviewed by the mission expressed con- media freedoms and the position of journalists and cern over what they described as an increasingly diffi- other media professionals. cult environment for critical journalism, driven in part by hostile official reactions to criticism and investigative Media freedom is guaranteed by international con- journalism in particular. Serbian government officials ventions ratified by Serbia, the Constitution of the at all levels must refrain from actions, including verbal Republic of Serbia and corresponding laws. However, harassment, that have the effect of delegitimising criti- journalists, media experts, and a large portion of the cal journalists and their work. Officials must send clear public agree that in Serbia we have been experienc- signals that journalists have a right to investigate the ing a constant drop in media freedoms over a longer activities of those in power. Serbian officials at all levels period of time. This negative trend in freedom of pub- must also demonstrate respect for media pluralism and lic information in Serbia is also confirmed in various media independence. Officials should adopt a non-dis- international reports. criminatory approach to media interaction, engaging with all media outlets on a fair basis. Public funding Due to concern about the condition of media free- schemes for media – especially at the local level – doms in Serbia and upon NUNS’ request, on January must be carried out in a transparent and independent 18 and 19 2018, a mission comprising representatives manner and in line with established criteria. of the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), South East Europe Media Organization (SEEMO) and Interna- Media Strategy - We urge the Ministry of Culture to tional press Institute (IPI)1 visited Serbia. The mission ensure that the public consultation of a new media led by the EFJ President Mogens Bliher Bjeregard had strategy takes place in a transparent and visible way meetings with representatives of journalists’ and me- both offline and online as well as across the country. dia associations, representatives of state bodies and There must be sufficient time for ensuring debate on institutions. In the end of the visit, members of the mis- the proposal and there must be a proper call for inter- sion communicated the following recommendations: ventions and amendments as well as serious consid- erations of any such interventions and amendments. Safety - All authorities should take cases of violence The views of those who left the working group must and harassment reported by journalists seriously by be acknowledged. providing immediate reactions underscoring the need for a quick resolution of the case based on an efficient, Social dialogue - In the view of the EFJ, decent work- impartial investigation. The Serbian government must ing conditions through collective agreements are a undertake efforts to resolve past cases of violence prerequisite for journalists to do their job. In this vein, against journalists, which is important not only for the the EFJ urges an improvement in the field of social journalists targeted in those cases and their families, dialogue, or its introduction where it is missing. The but also for the fight against impunity. In general, we EFJ states that there is a great need for the building strongly recommend that officials at all levels of gov- of an infrastructure with functioning organisations and institutions, which should be supported by capacity building programmes. 1 Mission of the European Federation of Journalists in Belgrade in mid-January http://www.nuns.rs/refor- Access to information - State bodies must respect ma-javnog-informisanja/33660/misija-evropske-feder- journalists’ right to access public information and must acije-novinara-u-beogradu-sredinom-januara.html CHRONICLE OF ATTACKS AND PRESSURES AGAINST JOURNALISTS IN 2018 respond to such requests in a timely manner. Exten- still facing significant challenges in terms of freedom sive waiting times for documents have a serious neg- of expression and information and conditions for es- ative impact on journalistic work in practice. tablishment of media pluralism3. The Ombudsman - We recommend classifying journal- According to the report of the European Commission ism and media as a special issue for the institution of the (hereinafter: the EC), “Serbia has some level of prepa- national ombudsman – an independent government ration concerning freedom of expression. However, body tasked with promoting and protecting citizens’ there was no progress” in this area. The EC states rights – so as better to allow her or him to deal with “The overall environment is still not conducive to the complaints and issues regarding journalism and media. exercise of this right” and that “cases of threats, in- timidation and violence against journalists are still a Definition of journalists - So as not to limit press free- concern, while investigations and final convictions dom and so as to uphold the protecting of sources, remain rare. The report also assesses that “Political the joint mission warns both media stakeholders and and economic influence over media continues to be the authorities against the introduction of a special a source of concern. Serbian authorities should en- definition on who is a journalist by narrowing the pressure that informal pressure on editorial policy is not ent understanding. exerted through the distribution of advertising funds, including from public companies, as well as project Permanent group for journalists’ safety - The inter- co-funding from local budgets”. It is also pointed to national mission views the formation of the Standing the inadequate model of financing of public broad- working group for journalists’ safety as an important casting services: “combination of subscription fees, signal of Serbia’s intention to seriously tackle the prob- budget subsidies and commercial contributions – lem of safety. In this light, we urge the group’s mem- leaves them vulnerable to political influence”. bers – representatives of the media, police and the public prosecutor’s office – to enter into a dialogue This is why the EC points that “Serbian authorities intended to revitalise this important effort, if

Load more