31/10/2016: UKRAINE – SEEMO REACTION UKRAIINE

Vienna, 31/10/2016

The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) condemned the behavior of authorities in Crimea towards media freedom and human rights, after journalist Mykola Semena was denied access to mainland Ukraine, where he intended to go in order to undergo necessary medical treatments.

Semena was accused earlier this year of using his work in the media as propaganda to call for “violations of the territorial integrity of Russia”. The journalist is said to have additional health issues that could lead to disability, if the travel ban imposed on him is not lifted so that he can receive treatment. Another recent case is the temporary detention of Oleksiy Nazimov, editor-in-chief of daily Tvoya gazeta, who is facing criminal charges. Allegedly, after the newspaper started looking into supposed illegal activities of the Crimean authorities, Nazimov was detained.

“Intimidation, censorship and incarceration of journalists are strong signals that tell us what a problematic media atmosphere we currently have in Ukraine and Crimea. We call on authorities to release detained journalists, and allow others to travel freely in accordance to their personal and health requirements. These cases reminded us that we must observe closely what happens in this region, and try to help media workers in any way we can” Oliver Vujovic, SEEMO Secretary General said today.

Vienna, 31/10/2016

The Secretary General of the South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), Oliver Vujovic, condemned the today arrest of at least 13 journalists of Turkish independent daily Cumhuriyet, including the editor-in-chief Murat Sabuncu, and three of its columnists, Kadri Gürsel , Güray Öz and Aydın Engin .

“I know Kadri, who is also Board Member of the International Press Institute (IPI) and IPI Turkey National Committee Chair, very good personally, and he is a great journalist and intellectual. He participated in several SEEMO conferences in Istanbul in the past and he is an example of professional journalism. What will be the next step by the authorities in Turkey against press freedom?”, SEEMO Secretary General Oliver Vujovic asked. “It is clear that the Turkish regime sees the state of emergency as a opportunity to consolidate its power and weaken democracy in the country. The authorities should urgently restore press freedom in the country”, Vujovic added.

As the International Press Institute informed, Kadri Gürsel was taken into custody today afternoon following a raid on his home and is currently being held at Vatan police station in Istanbul.

Vienna, 30/10/2016

The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) was dismayed to learn that following a failed coup attempt in Turkey on 15 July, the state apparatus has continuously been closing media outlets without previous notice or legal justification.

SEEMO has brought this subject to light in several reactions, yet authorities in Turkey continue their rampage against journalists and media houses. The most recent executive orders (by the Palace-governmental Decrees) have shut down indefinitely over 15 newspapers, magazines and news agencies on charges of allegedly having links with terrorist organizations behind the coup attempt, bringing the total number to over 160 closed outlets. Most often, these are Kurdish media outlets, such as DIHA (Dicle News Agency), JINHA (Women News Agency), Azadiya Welat (Kurdish daily), and others.

“The media situation in Turkey is dire, and we need help from the international community in order to work on these issues and try to salvage the remainders of speech rights and freedoms in the country” SEEMO Secretary General Oliver Vujovic said. “We call on authorities in Ankara to reflect on the troubling situation, and help bring democracy and order into media issues” Vujovic added.

SEEMO is a network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in South, East and Central Europe and its press freedom work is supported by the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) project, as part of a grant by the European Commission.

Vienna, 26/10/2016

The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) criticized the actions of the Albanian Parliament and Media Commission after a failed hearing which was originally planned for today, 26 October.

The Association of Professional Journalists (APJ) made a request to the Parliamentary Committee on Education and Means of Public Information, in order to further examine the case of Alida Tota, former director of A1News TV channel.

The APJ asked for the revision of her case after she was dismissed as the head of A1News, due to an investigative story that was published on the channel in late August. The subject of the piece was the death of Ardi Gjoklaj, a 17 year-old-boy who was working illegally at a landfill, which was under the supervision of the Tirana municipality.

The meeting was set for 10:00 this morning, but when representatives of media outlets began arriving to the hearing, members of the National Guard prohibited them from entering. This was a surprise, given that Genc Pollo, chairman of the Media Commission repeatedly invited journalists to attend. Following this, members of the governing coalition left the hearing of Alida Tota, leading to a lack of quorum and cancellation of the meeting.

“All forms of silencing journalists are a despicable, non-democratic way of functioning” SEEMO Secretary General Oliver Vujovic stated. “We call on the Parliamentary Committe on Education and Means of Public Information, the Media Commission and all rulling coalition members to immediately set up a new hearing date for the case of Alida Tota. Those that should be defending media freedom but in fact violate it, should not stop media workers from seeking legislative and state help” Vujovic added.

SEEMO is a network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in South, East and Central Europe and its press freedom work is supported by the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) project, as part of a grant by the European Commission.

Vienna, 25/10/2016

The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) condemned the threats made against Kosovo journalist Leonard Kerquki.

Kerquki is the chief editor of Gazeta Express and the author of Zona Express weekly show. An episode of the show which aired on 23 October tackled issues, including attacks, regarding the remaining Serb population in Kosovo, after which Kerquki started receiving hundreds of threats. The majority of hate speech and verbally abusive statements came from anonymous users on social media platforms.

“This is not the first time the subject of a smear campaign on social media is a journalist doing his job ethically and professionally. We call on authorities in Kosovo to launch an investigation and find out who the perpetrators behind this hateful rhetoric are. A lack of tolerance and understanding for other ethnic groups and minorities is a clear sign that Kosovo as a society has not evolved to a democratic standpoint yet” Oliver Vujovic, SEEMO Secretary General said earlier.

SEEMO is a network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in South, East and Central Europe and its press freedom work is supported by the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) project, as part of a grant by the European Commission.

Vienna, 24/10/2016

The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) criticized the behavior and actions of Latvian authorities after detaining and deporting the journalist and chief producer for Rossiya Segodnya international information agency, Ella Taranova.

Taranova was detained by Latvian border guards when she arrived in Riga for the Baltic Forum. Allegedly, the journalist was deported on Friday, 21 October.

SEEMO members expressed great dissatisfaction with the behavior of Latvian authorities, who have allowed these unnecessary actions and human rights violations. SEEMO calls on institutions in the country to issue a public apology to the journalist, and allow her an access to Latvia for future occasions.

Vienna, 21/10/2016

The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) condemned the draft law approved by the Romanian Senate on 17 October, which proposed eliminating all monthly fees for TV and radio licenses, so far included in the monthly electric bill paid by individuals and companies in Romania,. Instead, the Senate suggested the introduction of direct funding of public service media through the state budget. The law, introduced by the Social Democratic Party (PSD), was approved with a controversial timing: as the election campaign is approaching, tax relief is one of the efficient populist measure.

The proposal was initiated by the Social-Democrat party leader in the light of upcoming elections in the country, and the draft bill is now being discussed by political authorities.

“We condemn any attempt of the state with meddling into the work of public service media outlets within Romania” SEEMO Secretary General Oliver Vujovic said today. “Not only would this draft bill take away all independence from journalists working within these public service media houses, it would also send a negative message on how the country and its institutions are disrespecting and censoring media freedom” Vujovic added.

SEEMO is a network of editors, media executives, and leading journalists in South, East and Central Europe, and its press freedom work is supported by the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) project, as part of a grant by the European Commission.

Vienna, 14/10/2016

The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) condemned the working conditions for media workers in Serbia, which endanger the basic human and professional rights of journalists.

Jovica Vasic, journalist of daily “Narodne novine” in the city of Nis, Serbia, has been on a hunger strike for the previous five days, in order to draw attention to the difficult working conditions in both his paper, and in journalism. Vasic began his strike due to what he calls “slave-like working conditions” at the daily, where he has been an employee for the past 22 years. The journalist added that the situation worsened drastically after the paper came into ownership of a local family ten years ago.

“SEEMO members support all media workers in Serbia that are fighting for their rights and freedoms” Oliver Vujovic, SEEMO Secretary General stated. “However, we ask Jovica Vasic to not expose his life and health to danger, and cease the hunger strike immediately. We will fight together, as we have done so far on, to draw attention of authorities and international institutions towards the horrendous working conditions of journalists in Serbia and the region” Vujovic added.

SEEMO is a network of editors, media executives, and leading journalists in South, East and Central Europe, and its press freedom work is supported by the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) project, as part of a grant by the European Commission.

Vienna, 11/10/2016

The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) called on Russian authorities to immediately release Ukrainian journalist Roman Suschenko, after he was arrested by the Russian intelligence agency due to accusations of spying on armed forces in the country.

Suschenko’s arrest was ordered on 1 October by the Moscow Lefortovsky Court, after being accused of allegedly “collecting information on the activities of the Russian Armed forces and the National Guard troops”, with the court claiming that if leaked abroad, the data may harm state defense capabilities. Russian authorities have launched a criminal case against Suschenko based on charges of espionage.

“We call on the authorities to immediately release Suschenko, and drop all and any charges against him. Tensions between Russia and Ukraine have been at an all-time high for an extended period of time, and we ask them to revise this situation and release the journalist” Oliver Vujovic, SEEMO secretary general said.

Vienna, 11/10/2016

The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) was appalled to learn about the brutal attack on Russian journalist Grigory Pasko.

Pasko was beaten in the morning hours of 27 September by two unidentified men, in the city of Barnaul in the Siberian region Altai Krai.

According to Pasko, he had been followed and attacked by the men, who he says then promised to return. The journalist also added that in his opinion these were not common criminals, but rather individuals hired to beat and intimidate him because of his investigative work in journalism and his critical opinion.

Pasko, a former military officer, was arrested in 1997 by Russian police on charges of treason and espionage . He was found guilty in 2001 and was released on parole in 2003. A day before the attack, Pasko published an article from a newspaper, in which a local nationalist complained about Pasko being a “foreign spy”.

SEEMO members condemn this attack and call on authorities in Russia to conduct an immediate investigation, in order to discover who the perpetrators behind this attack are. Beatings and censorship of media workers in Russia are a definite and common indicator of low media freedoms and human rights.