07/01/2011: HUNGARY – NEWLY-CONSTITUTED HUNGARIAN MEDIA AUTHORITY LAUNCHES INVESTIGATION INTO RADIO STATION

Vienna, 07/01/2011

Hungary’s newly-instituted media council (NMHH) launched an inquiry into Tilos radio station in September, according to a letter from the council on the station’s website. The inquiry relates to the station’s broadcast of two songs by American rapper Ice-T in its 1730h program. According to the letter from the NMHH, the songs’ lyrics were objectionable, and violated sections 5/B. § (3) and 5/C § (2) of the Regulations on Radio and Television Broadcasting, which relate to material which may influence the physical, moral or mental development of minors.

Media regulation in Hungary has come under sharp scrutiny in recent months, with widespread criticism of the new media law as being too restrictive and granting wide-ranging powers to the media council to penalize the media for breaching a variety of broad and vague regulations.

In December, an IPI/SEEMO fact-finding mission to Hungary warned that the law had been passed without a “wide, open discussion with media professionals”, and that Hungary, which is due to take over the presidency of the European Union, has a responsibility to set an example of press freedom standards in the region.

The new media law, which came into force last Saturday, would allow radio and television stations to be fined up to 730,000 Euros ($975,000) for going against “public interest, public morals and order”, or for broadcasting “partial information”, with insufficient clarification on what constitutes an infringement of the law, according to local media sources.

In November, Hungary’s parliament passed legislation ostensibly aimed at promoting press freedom but which in fact allows for journalists to be forced to give up their confidential sources in cases involving vaguely-defined ‘national security’.

In a letter in response to the NMHHs notification , the radio station contends that the songs are in English, a language spoken by a minority of under-16s in the country, and points out that the official investigation concludes that understanding the lyrics was made more difficult by the colloquialisms used in the songs. The station also contends that since a small minority of its listeners are under 16 years of age, they should not be obligated to reserve the songs for the post-21h time slot, as the law requires.

Criticism of the law has been widespread and vociferous. IPI called in November and December for a re-evaluation of its terms, as have several other press freedom organizations. The law has also been criticized by EU members Britain and Germany.

The BBC reports the following statement from the UK Foreign Office: “Freedom of the press is at the heart of a free society. We hope that the Hungarian Government will soon resolve this issue satisfactorily and that it will not impact adversely on the successful delivery of the Hungarian EU Presidency.”

Hungary on Monday rejected Western criticism of the new media legislation, calling it ill-informed and even absurd, and vowing to uphold press freedom, Reuters reported.

Hungary claims its Media Act conforms with the EU bloc’s rules and called the criticism “unfounded, at times outright absurd accusations”, according to Reuters.

“A common trait of the opinions expressed by the media is that they apparently lack in-depth knowledge of the Act’s text,” the Public Administration and Justice Ministry said in a statement quoted by Reuters.

IPI’s affiliate, the South and East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) , supports this joint SEEMO/IPI statement.

****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, 11/01/2011

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), strongly condemns the threat allegedly made by a local businessman against reporter Visar Duriqi, a correspondent for the daily newspaper Infopress in Pristina.

According to Duriqi, on 6 January 2011, he contacted the businessman via telephone to conduct an interview regarding an investigation that was being carried out concerning usurpation of public property. After Duriqi asked the first set of questions, he was allegedly threatened.

According to the journalist, the businessman said: “I will find you, wherever you are, and break your arms and legs so that you are disabled and confined to a wheelchair. I will also give everything in my power to get you fired, and make it impossible for you to find another job.”

“This is outrageous”, said SEEMO Secretary General Oliver Vujovic. “Threatening a journalist over some simple questions is unacceptable. We are deeply disturbed about this occurrence; any threats against journalists, whether physical or verbal, must be strongly condemned. SEEMO believes that no democratic society can function without the elementary principle of a safe working environment for journalists.”

He added: “SEEMO would also like to highlight that threats such as this not only threaten the well-being of individual journalists, but also threaten the public’s right to receive factually-correct news, and the principle of freedom of expression in general. We cannot accept intimidation – which fuels self-censorship.”

SEEMO will continue to monitor the situation, and urges the authorities in Pristina to thoroughly investigate this case, ensure Duriqi’s protection, and take all actions necessary against the person who threatened the journalist.

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.