13/01/2011: HUNGARIAN GOVERNMENT TO WITHDRAW MEDIA LEGISLATION

Vienna, 13/01/2011

Leading Austrian newspapers are to carry on today an IPI Austria insert calling on the Hungarian government to withdraw recently-passed media legislation heavily criticised by top EU politicians, the OSCE, journalists and a host of press freedom and freedom of expression groups.

The insert – signed by the IPI Austria National Committee, Reporters without Borders and the Austrian GPA Journalists’ Union – warns that the new legislation constitutes a fundamental threat to press freedom, and therefore to democracy, by muzzling journalists and introducing censorship.

Recalling the “heroic” role played by Hungary in throwing off the yoke of Communism, and evolving peacefully into a democracy, the insert urges the Hungarian government to strengthen – and not weaken – democracy within the European Union.

“Suggestions by top Hungarian politicians that the legislation could conceivably be changed are not enough,” the insert says. It calls on the Hungarian government to withdraw the legislation and to replace it with legislation whose conformance with democratic principles is not in question.

IPI Austria National Committee head Gerfried Sperl, who initiated the insert, said: “The Hungarian nation has in its history always fought for democracy and freedom of speech. The government of Hungary should strengthen democracy and not weaken it.”

“This declaration is also a message to all Austrian politicians who from time to time try to initiate laws which reduce freedom of the media.”

IPI Press Freedom Manager Anthony Mills said: “The many leading Austrian newspapers running this insert on Thursday are – along with the statement’s signatories – sending a powerful message in support of press freedom in Hungary. We urge the Hungarian government to take note of the grave concerns expressed in the statement and to ensure that press freedom – and with it, democracy – are upheld.”

The insert is to appear in the following Austrian newspapers: Die Kleine Zeitung; Die Presse; Der Standard; Kurier; Salzburger Nachrichten; Wirtschaftsblatt; Oberoesterreichische Nachrichten; Neues Volksblatt; Tiroler Tageszeitung; Vorarlberger Nachrichten; Wiener Zeitung.

The South and East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) supports the statements made.

****For further information, please contact:

Mirjana Milosevic
SEEMO Press Freedom Coordinator
South and East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO)
E-mail: info@seemo.org
Web: www.seemo.org

Vienna, 14/01/2011

Belarus secret service agents have raided the apartments of detained journalist Irina Khalip and her mother, Lyutsina Khalip, seizing the journalist’s computer, according to Charter 97, an independent news website.

Lyutsina is currently struggling to prevent the authorities taking custody of her three-year-old grandson. A decision is expected at the end of the month, when child welfare officers will decide whether the woman is capable of looking after the boy.

She has been taking care of Danil since the boy’s parents, Khalip and Belarus opposition presidential candidate Andrei Sannikov were arrested at the end of December, following demonstrations against the re-election of President Alexander Lukashenko. The State Security Agency of the Republic of Belarus, still called the KGB, arrested a total of 24 journalists, according to the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ). Khalip and Sannikov face charges of organizing and participating in the demonstrations and could receive prison sentences of up to 15 years.

The infant, according to Lyutsina, asks constantly about his parents. The woman said she has had to pass several medical tests – drug-related, psychological and physical exams for instance – as part of an assessment of whether or not she is well enough to care for the child. Danil, too, had to undergo a medical examination.

Khalip, a correspondent for the Moscow-based newspaper Novaya Gazeta and a BAJ member, and her husband were pulled out from their car after the police had broken up the rally in central Minsk, on the night of 19 December. During the clash with the police, Sannikov was beaten and his leg was broken, according to his lawyer Pavel Sapelko. Khalip was giving a telephone interview to radio station Echo Moskvy, when she was forcibly detained.

Earlier in December, Khalip had received a CEI SEEMO Diploma for Outstanding Merits in Investigative Journalism. According to the BAJ website, Khalip was being held in the “KGB investigation ward”. On 21 December, BAJ also reported that Khalip met her lawyer but her parents were not allowed to send her a parcel. The website said she was being treated as a suspect in a criminal case initiated under an article of the Criminal Code relating to “mass disturbances”.

Prosecutions and harassments of journalists continue to stifle press freedom in Belarus. “It is impossible to talk about fair elections in Belarus in the absence of freedom of speech and freedom of the press in the country,” said Andrei Alaksandrau, Deputy Chairman of BAJ, in a speech to the European Parliament in Brussels. He added that it seems that the situation for independent media in the country “will deteriorate further”.

On Wednesday, the government closed Autoradio, a popular private station, accusing it of broadcasting calls for “extremist behaviour”, Reuters reported.

On Tuesday, the police searched Borisovskyie Novosti, an independent weekly in Barysaw, a town in the Minsk region. All the equipment in the newsroom was seized and the home of its editor, Anatol Bukas, was raided. The newspaper was accused of having participated in the rally in the capital on 19 December.

According to the BAJ website, the private apartment of Larysa Shchyrakova, an independent journalist who works with “BelSat” TV channel, was searched by five KGB agents. Two PCs with monitors and mice, a laptop, nearly a hundred DVDs, several flash-sticks, a DVD player, and two dictating machines were seized during the search. Shchyrakova believes the search was connected with her professional activity.

IPI Press Freedom Manager Anthony Mills said: “We are deeply disturbed by the continuing crackdown on independent media in Belarus. We call upon the authorities to release the journalists imprisoned because of their work, including Irina Khalip, and to ensure that the media are free to report without fear of assault, arrest and imprisonment. We also call on the European Union to take a strong stance on the continuing violation in Belarus of fundamental human rights.”

Oliver Vujovic, Secretary-General of the South and East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), an IPI affiliate, said: “Belarus has a very important role and position in Europe, and we would like to see the country in the near future as one of the leading examples of democracy in Europe.” Vujovic added: “We are open to supporting the officials in Minsk in making all necessary reforms, so that the country can attain the highest level of democracy. This is also in the interest of the authorities in Minsk. As a first small step in that direction, we are asking the authorities to respect all the human rights of Irina Khalip and her family, to guarantee her independent and also critical reporting, and to ensure that all her family members can live together with her safely.”

This press release is supported by the South and East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), an IPI affiliate.

Vienna, 18/01/2011

The South and East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), a network of editors, media executives and leading journalists from South East Europe and an affiliate of the International Press Institute (IPI), condemns a written attack by the Kosovo Liberation Army’s Veterans Association against journalist Halil Matoshi, a columnist for the daily Koha Ditore.

On 6 January 2011 the newspaper published an article by Matoshi about the challenges facing Kosovo in 2011. Matoshi reportedly stated that certain people wanted a form of “patriotic anarchy” in which they could claim the right to distinguish between good and bad patriots.

On 7 January 2011, the Veterans Association sent out a press release in which Matoshi was portrayed as a traitor, and describing him as “one of the pieces of trash the occupiers have left us.”

“We are alarmed by the written attack on journalist Matoshi”, said Oliver Vujovic, SEEMO Secretary General. “Attacks against journalists, including those seeking to portray them as traitors, are unacceptable and must be strongly condemned.”

He added: “Freedom of the press is a cornerstone of democracy and any form of pressure directed at a journalist is worrying.”

SEEMO will continue to monitor the situation, and urges the authorities in Pristina to thoroughly investigate this situation and to ensure Matoshi’s safety.

Vienna, 28/01/2011

Croatian President Ivo Josipovic said today that he opposes proposed changes to his country’s criminal code that would impose severe penalties for libel, including jail.

The president told a joint delegation of the International Press Institute (IPI) and the South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) at a meeting at his office in Zagreb that he was against the draft proposal, and he called on other countries to remove libel provisions from their penal codes.

“I am against jail for public announcers, journalists, etc.,” he said, but he noted that efforts to stop the proposal have been diminished by the presence of similar laws in the criminal codes of other European states. According to human rights advocacy group Article 19, nearly all Western European countries retain criminal definition provisions on their books.

The proposal, which also addresses insults and embarrassment to honour and reputation, comes as part of a draft penal code under discussion by a government working committee. Under language unveiled for public debate last week, a journalist found guilty of libel could face imprisonment of up to a year and a fine equalling half of the journalists’ annual wage.

Zdenko Duka, president of the Croatian Journalists Association, said that truth was not a defence to libel charges under the proposal, and that journalists could be subject to the penalties for reporting items judged not to be in the public interest.

Josipovic said the government should rely on civil, rather than criminal remedies, and he added that he supported making civil remedies stronger and more efficient. However, he also called on journalists to hold themselves to higher standards in their reporting.

“Journalism is a very powerful profession, and people’s destiny depends on it,” he explained. ” Their moral destiny, their social destiny, their economic destiny. There needs to be some responsibility.”

IPI Acting Director Alison Bethel McKenzie praised the president’s position, commenting:

“We’re pleased that the president is against this draft legislation and that he ensured us he would do everything in his power to have jailing of journalists removed from the legislation. We understand the president’s concerns about low standards of journalism in some areas, and we will work more closely with the Croatian Journalists Association to improve standards and opportunities for the media in Croatia.”
Bethel McKenzie commented that the IPI would seek to hold Josipovic to his promise, and agreed that “the criminalisation of defamation is not acceptable anywhere in the world.”

SEEMO Secretary General Oliver Vujovic said:

“We are glad that the president is supporting the removal of fines and jail time in this draft law. It shows that the leading politicians in the country are dedicated to guiding Croatia to EU membership.”

Before the proposal can become law, it must still go before Croatia’s justice ministry, which would then finish a draft and send it to the government before any legislation would be presented before parliament.

The joint delegation met with the president this morning as part of a four-day press freedom mission to Croatia by IPI and SEEMO that began Tuesday.

Vienna, 31/01/2011

The South and East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), a network of editors, media executives and leading journalists from South and East Europe and an affiliate of the International Press Institute (IPI), is appalled by the large number of reporters and journalists allegedly attacked and even shot on 21 January 2011, by members of the Albanian National Guard.

According to information received by SEEMO, the violence that occurred in the streets of Tirana on 21 January 2011 did not spare journalists and reporters. The reports of numerous brutal attacks on journalists who were doing their job were entirely disregarded by the National Guard.

Ened Janina, reporter for the newspaper Shekulli, was allegedly beaten in the middle of the street. He told police he was a journalist and provided evidence by showing identification. Janina said he asked guardsmen to stop beating him, but, Janina said he was told, “I do not give a damn that you are a journalist.”

Commenting on the incident, SEEMO Secretary General Oliver Vujovic said: “This incident is indeed very shocking. No person working for the National Guard should behave in such an aggressive manner toward a journalist who was only doing his work, and who even identified himself accordingly.”

Furthermore, photographer Feliks Bilani allegedly had stones thrown towards his head, reporter Elton Dono’s jaw was broken when he was hit on the head allegedly by a member of the National Guard, and a reporter from Ora News was wounded during the demonstration.

In his testimony, which has also been given to prosecutors, Fatos Mahmutaj, working for ABC News, gives a detailed account of how an officer from the National Guard, standing in the courtyard of the prime minister’s office, opened fire, wounding him and killing two protesters.

“I saw the National Guard officer when he stood up because before he was covered with his shield. He removed the shield, took aim and shot,” said Mahmutaj, who was reporting live for his TV station at the time of the incident.

“I saw the fire in his gun barrel, I felt the impact of the bullet in my hand, and also heard a crack only 10 centimetres from my right ear, which was the skull of the killed protester that was cracking,” Mahmutaj added.

“We compliment the reporters, journalists and photographers who were brave enough to go to the streets during that troubled time and for still trying to fulfil their duties in such hazardous circumstances,” said Vujovic. “Such attacks are unacceptable, and it is particularly worrying if they are coming from the National Guard who is supposed to function as a safeguard of rules and order within a society.”

SEEMO urges Albanian authorities to make every attempt to protect journalists as they report on conflict and other sensitive issues. SEEMO also asks the high authorities in Albania to deal with the abuse of journalists and to take legal steps against those responsible for attacks on journalists.

Added Vujovic, SEEMO Secretary General: “If media representatives are too frightened to go out on the streets and report during such an event, the general public will be left uninformed and ignorant. That is unacceptable for a country that is considered democratic.”

Vienna, 04/02/2011

The South and East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), a network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in South East and Central Europe and an affiliate of the International Press Institute (IPI), is deeply concerned at the continuing intimidation of journalists, following violent attacks against the media during demonstrations on 21 January 2011.

The numerous attacks, beatings, and gunshot wounds suffered by journalists, allegedly at the hands of the National Guard, during demonstrations on 21 January 2011 in Tirana, have been followed by further incidents.

According to information received by SEEMO, a parliamentary commission set up by the ruling party has requested itemised home and mobile phone bills from: Filip Cakulli, the director of the investigative programme Fiks Fare on Top-Channel TV; Sokol Balla, the anchor of the popular show Top-Story on Top Channel TV; Mero Baze, the publisher of the daily Tema; and Andi Bushati, the anchor of a show on Vizion Plust TV called “Zone e Lire.” The journalists have all been officially placed under investigation.
The Albanian government has accused them of helping organise what it calls an “attempted coup d’état” on 21 January 2011.

SEEMO Secretary General Oliver Vujovic said: “It is astonishing that suddenly, and without prior notice, the government decided to take such action against journalists who were only fulfilling their duty to inform the general public about a particular event. This appears to be yet another instance of the political interference that we have witnessed in many past cases in Albania”

It has also been brought to SEEMO’s attention that in complete violation of the constitution, human rights and freedom of press, the decision to obtain copies of the journalists’ home and mobile phone bills will be enforced by a parliamentary committee.

“SEEMO urges the political powers in Albania to refrain from pressuring the country’s media representatives,” Vujovic said.”We further insist that they support and foster an independent media instead of obstructing it.”

Vienna, 08/02/2011

The South and East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), a network of editors, media executives and leading journalists from South East Europe and an affiliate of the International Press Institute (IPI), strongly condemns threats allegedly made by a film actor in Kosovo on 2 February 2011 towards Alfred Beka, of the daily Express, and Vullnet Krasniqi, of the daily Koha Ditore.

After writing articles that were critical of the actor, who is also a movie director, the two journalists allegedly received threatening phone calls from him.

According to information received by SEEMO, the actor allegedly called Krasniqi on 2 February 2011 and said: “Who do you think you are, writing such an article about my movie? Do you think I am some kind of amateur? I assure you, when we happen to meet some day, I will kill you.”

Beka also allegedly received a threatening phone call.

“Such intimidation is intolerable,” said SEEMO Secretary General Oliver Vujovic. “Every reporter has the inalienable right to report on events in the public interest, and to present critical views.”

Film directors and actors are individuals who hold an important public role. Public figures in particular must be open to critical remarks from journalists. SEEMO demands a clear investigation of this case.

Vienna, 10/02/2011

The South and East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), a network of editors, media executives and leading journalists from South East Europe and the International Press Institute (IPI), completed a four-day Press Freedom Mission to Croatia during which it met with a broad array of media stakeholders and government representatives, and concluded that there are many areas of concern within the media in Croatia.

SEEMO and IPI are alarmed by proposed changes to the country’s criminal code, which were drafted by a group of experts that would impose severe penalties for libel including jail and fines of up to half of a journalist’s wages. The delegation was pleased to hear from President Ivo Josipovic at a meeting in his office in Zagreb that he is against the draft legislation and that he would do everything in his power to have jailing of journalists removed from the legislation.

After speaking to representatives from Radio 101, SEEMO Secretary General and Mission Leader Oliver Vujovic said: “We demand that all laws connected to the case of Radio 101 be respected.”

SEEMO and IPI noted that the media in Croatia still experience a strong amount of pressure from both political and business groups.

The question of transparency of ownership remains a large problem in the media.

The delegation was also concerned to hear of the difficulties Croatian investigative journalists have in covering organised crime and corruption including threats and attacks. While those responsible for physical attacks on journalists are often jailed, the organisers of the crime are rarely identified. SEEMO and IPI urge the authorities in Zagreb to work harder to find the organisers of attacks on journalists.

SEEMO Secretary General Oliver Vujovic said: “Our mission provided clarity about the media situation in Croatia and our discussions opened up many possibilities for future cooperation with media representatives in the region.”

IPI Acting Director Alison Bethel McKenzie said: “There are serious concerns about the media situation in Croatia, the most pressing being the consideration of a draft law on criminal libel. We are anxious to work closely with the media and government officials to ensure that such a law does not come to fruition.”

SEEMO and IPI will continue to monitor the media situation in Croatia for further developments and will produce a report detailing its mission findings and recommendations.

The mission took place from 25-28 January 2011.

Vienna, 11/02/2011

The Vienna-based South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), an affiliate of the International Press Institute (IPI), strongly condemns yesterday’s bomb attack on the weekly Galeria in Sofia, Bulgaria.

A bomb exploded around 5:40 a.m. in front of the headquarters shared by the weekly publication and the Millennium publishing house in the central part of Sofia.

Galeria is known for reports that have criticised the Bulgarian government, and the publication has reported on wiretaps dealing with alleged corruption among high-ranking officials. These include last month’s publication of transcripts of taped phone conversations between senior government officials and the chief of the country’s Customs Office about alleged pressure on officials to protect certain companies from tax investigations.

This is not the first attack on a media company in Bulgaria since the country joined the European Union. Assailants attacked the Varna office of Bulgarian TV SKAT on 3 February 2010 with a Molotov cocktail, and the head office of TV SKAT in Burgas was the target of a similar attack just one day earlier.

SEEMO Secretary General Oliver Vujovic said: “SEEMO asks Bulgarian officials to conduct a professional investigation. It is important to obtain details about the circumstances behind this attack. We expect Bulgarian authorities to investigate the matter fully and bring those responsible to justice. This means not only finding the persons who actually planted the bomb, but also those who organised the incident.””

He added: “SEEMO has registered many attacks and threats against investigative journalists and their family members in Bulgaria in recent years. It is particularly unfortunate that such incidents are still occurring despite the fact that Bulgaria is a member of the European Union. Bulgarian authorities must do everything in their power to provide safe working conditions for journalists.”

Vienna, 17/02/2011

Turkish police have raided the offices and homes of four journalists associated with dissident news website OdaTV amid accusations that they were part of a plot to overthrow the government, the International Press Institute (IPI) / South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) has learned from its Turkish National Committee.

Police in Istanbul seized documents as well as computers in the raid on Monday, which was ordered by prosecutors investigating the alleged secularist “Ergenekon” conspiracy.

Police later detained the website’s owner, investigative journalist Soner Yalcin, along with OdaTV news editor Baris Terkoglu and writers Ayhan Bozkurt and Baris Pehlivan.

Turkish authorities have accused hundreds of politicians, retired military officers, academics and journalists of participating in the Ergenekon plot, which allegedly called for assassinations and attacks that would create chaos and lead to calls for the military to take power from the current government headed by Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Leaders of Turkey’s armed forces have denied the plot’s existence.

Ferai Tinc, the head of IPI’s Turkish National Committee, condemned the raid and the detentions, commenting:

“The actions of police in raiding OdaTV, searching the homes of journalists and seizing documents is a situation which cannot be accepted in terms of press freedom. We believe this operation, which is said to be related to an ongoing court case, is intended to silence opposition voices. While the termination of press organizations can be realised through legal means, we consider this operation a restriction on freedom of the press.”

Anthony Mills, IPI’s Press & Communications Manager, added:

“We are concerned at suggestions that these raids may be in response to critical journalism, rather than any concrete criminal acts. A diverse media environment, characterised by differing viewpoints, and criticism, is a cornerstone of any democracy.”