14/07/2011: NORTH MACEDONIA – SEEMO BELIEVES PROPOSED CHANGES WILL POLITICIZE BROADCASTING COUNCIL IN REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA / FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA AND UNDERMINE ITS INDEPENDENCE

Vienna, 14/07/2011

The Vienna-based South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), an affiliate of the International Press Institute (IPI), believes that the proposed changes to the membership structure of the Broadcasting Council in the Republic of Macedonia / Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia will politicize this regulatory body, curtail media freedom, and reduce pluralism within the country.

The Broadcasting Council, a regulatory body that monitors electronic media and issues broadcasting licenses, thereby exerting crucial influence on shaping the country’s media landscape, is currently composed of nine members: two representatives from journalists’ associations, two from Skopje´s Cyril and Methodius University, two from the Academy of Sciences, and three representing Parliament. Until now, the Council has enjoyed independence and credibility, despite political pressure.

However, last week, several deputies from the ruling party (VMRO-DPMNE) suggested changes to the composition of the Council. They proposed that six new members should be added: two representing the President, two local authorities and two from other regulatory bodies. All of these institutions are controlled by the governing party. In practice, the proposed increase in Council members would mean that pro-government members would have the majority and be able to control all electronic media.

The parliament in Skopje is expected to approve these changes within two weeks, following the formation of the new government. Parliamentary elections took place on 5 June 2011. Accelerated procedures have been adopted.

This unexpected initiative regarding the reformation of the Broadcasting Council coincides with the closure of three daily newspapers: Shpic, Vreme and Koha e Re. As SEEMO reported on 12 July 2011, these papers allegedly owe one million Euros in unpaid taxes. The revenue office closed their accounts, which left them with no means to pay wages and basic printing costs. In addition, A1 TV, the popular critically-oriented private television station, has already reduced its programming, and faces possible closure. A1 TV allegedly owes nine million Euros in unpaid taxes. The owner of A1 TV, Velija Ramkovski, was detained in December 2010 and accused of tax evasion and financial irregularities

“I urge those who proposed the Council changes to rethink their decision. The Broadcasting Council should remain an independent body. Democracy needs pluralism, and I see pluralism disappearing in the Republic of Macedonia / Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia,” said Oliver Vujovic, SEEMO Secretary General.

Vienna, 15/07/2011

The Vienna-based South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), an affiliate of the International Press Institute (IPI), condemns the latest attack on the Montenegrin daily newspaper Vijesti. On 14 July 2011, two clearly-marked company cars were torched right across the street from the National Security Agency. An unidentified person poured gasoline on the cars and set them ablaze. Nobody was injured. No other parked cars were targeted. Top Montenegrin politicians, including the president and the prime minister, condemned the attack.

In spite of their prompt reaction, Montenegrin authorities have not been efficient in creating an environment in which journalists can work free from pressure. As SEEMO reported in previous years, Vijesti has been a deliberate target on several occasions.

On 24 September 2010 Zeljko Ivanovic, one of Vijesti founders, and several other journalists received death threats by mail.

On 5 August 2009 Mihailo Jovovic, editor of Vijesti, and Boris Pejovic, a photojournalist, were physically attacked by the mayor of Podgorica and his son whilst documenting their illegal parking in town. The mayor’s son used his gun to threaten the journalist. Jovovic was treated in hospital for the head injury.

On 1 September 2007, Zeljko Ivanovic was physically attacked by several assailants near a restaurant, where the newspaper was celebrating its 10th anniversary. Ivanovic was injured and received medical help. Although the perpetrators of this attack were found, the masterminds remain at large.

“I urge the authorities in Montenegro to do everything in their power find the perpetrators, and prevent such incidents from happening in the future. It is in the interest of Montenegrin democracy that journalists be allowed to investigate stories free of any pressure,” said SEEMO Secretary General Oliver Vujovic.

Vienna, 18/07/2011

The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), an affiliate of the International Press Institute (IPI), joins the Croatian Journalists ´Association (HND) in demanding that Croatia´s public prosecutor investigate death threats allegedly made by top military officials against Croatian journalist Drago Hedl.

Hedl, who works for the Zagreb-daily Jutarnji List, has been writing about war crimes for the past twenty years. Initially, he wrote about the war crimes committed during the wars in former Yugoslavia (1991-1995). Currently, he monitors war crimes trials. As SEEMO has reported, Hedl has been threatened on numerous occasions.

According to information published in Jutarnji List on 13 July 2011, the latest threat occurred in 2010 when top Croatian generals allegedly discussed Hedl´s liquidation. According to the same source, a detained Croatian general admitted this in July 2011. Military officials were dissatisfied with Hedl’s coverage of the war crimes trial in Bjelovar (Croatia).

“I urge the Public Prosecutor to investigate the alleged death threats against Drago Hedl,” demanded Oliver Vujovic, SEEMO Secretary General. “It is unacceptable that in a country that will soon join the European Union, military officials can send death threats to journalists who investigate war crimes.”

Vienna, 25/07/2011

The Vienna-based South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), an affiliate of the International Press Institute (IPI), welcomes the 19 July 2011 announcement by Serbia´s State Secretary in the Ministry of Justice, Slobodan Homen, that defamation and libel will be removed from the country´s criminal code in autumn 2011. Once parliament approves these changes, defamation and libel will be subject to civil litigation only.

SEEMO believes that defamation and libel should be decriminalised. The criminal code has frequently been used in defamation cases in Serbia and consequently many media outlets prefer self-censorship to pursuing sensitive issues. In some cases the criminal code has been used to sanction journalists and media even when they reported on official declarations by politicians and party leaders.

SEEMO believes that in defamation cases civil rather than criminal laws should be applied. However, abuses can occur even if only the civil code is used. If journalists are subject to investigation and violate civil code provisions, sanctions should be commensurate with their income. Excessively high fines, which have been levied in several countries monitored by SEEMO, have a repressive effect: media outlets face closure and journalists abstain from writing about sensitive issues. Disproportionate fines hamper the freedom and independence of journalists.

SEEMO joins the Serbian Journalists´ Association in their demand that Article 336 of the Criminal Code also be amended: according to this Article, it is forbidden to comment on court cases until the final sentence has been passed and implemented.

“I do hope that Serbia will decriminalise defamation and libel,” said Oliver Vujovic, SEEMO Secretary General. “If this proposal is approved in autumn 2011, Serbia will set an example to many EU countries in which defamation is still considered a criminal offence.”

Vienna, 25/07/2011

Nine days after two clearly marked Vijesti company cars were set ablaze on 14 July 2011 in front of the National Security Agency in Podgorica, Montenegro, on 23 July 2011 another car belonging to the daily was torched. The car was parked in another location.

The Vienna-based South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), an affiliate of the International Press Institute (IPI), condemns the series of targeted attacks against the Montenegrin daily newspaper Vijesti.

Just like on 15 July 2011, when SEEMO reported the previous attack, top Montenegrin politicians condemned the latest incident.

However, despite the prompt condemnations, Montenegrin authorities have not been efficient in creating an environment in which journalists can work free from pressure. As SEEMO reported in previous years, Vijesti has been a deliberate target on several occasions.

On 24 September 2010 Zeljko Ivanovic, one of Vijesti founders, and several other journalists received death threats by mail.

On 5 August 2009 Mihailo Jovovic, editor of Vijesti, and Boris Pejovic, a photojournalist, were physically attacked by the mayor of Podgorica and his son whilst documenting their illegal parking in town. The mayor’s son used his gun to threaten the journalist. Jovovic was treated in hospital for a head injury.

On 1 September 2007, Zeljko Ivanovic was physically attacked by several assailants near a restaurant, where the newspaper was celebrating its 10th anniversary. Ivanovic was injured and received medical treatment. Although the perpetrators of this attack were found, the masterminds remain at large.

“The recurrent attacks on Vijesti lead me to believe that this daily is a deliberate target. I urge the authorities in Montenegro to do everything in their power to find the perpetrators, and prevent such incidents from happening in the future,” said SEEMO Secretary General Oliver Vujovic.

Vienna, 26/07/2011

The Vienna-based South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), an affiliate of the International Press Institute (IPI), calls on the Kosovo authorities, political parties, and business and religious leaders to abstain from pressuring media and urges them to contribute to creating an environment in which media can operate freely.

In Kosovo, political and other forms of pressure are common. Both public and private media outlets are targeted. During the past two weeks, to mention but a few incidents, the Ministry of Trade and Industry decided to cut all relations with Pristina daily Zeri, while the imam of the main Mosque in Pristina, Shefqet Krasniqi, publicly attacked Koha Ditore newspaper.

In a separate development, the only public broadcaster, Kosovo Radio-Television (RTK), has been the focus of renewed political debate regarding the television time allotted to governing and opposition parties during news hours. Neither side promotes the concept of public broadcasting: they seem to perceive the public service as a shared party service.

On 16 July 2011, Mimoza Kusari-Lila, Minister of Trade and Industry, decided to end cooperation with Zeri. In an official letter the Ministry claimed to be dissatisfied with Zeri´s coverage of Ms. Kusari-Lila activities.

On 22 July 2011, Pristina´s imam Shefqet Krasniqi publicly labeled Koha Ditore as an “evil medium” and accused it of staging a campaign against him. His anger was sparked by an article on a lawsuit against him.

Meanwhile, government and opposition parties have been unable to pass a law that would regulate the functioning of RTK. It is now expected that the law will be discussed during the autumn 2011 parliamentary session. However, there is no agreement on how to address the main problem: RTK financing. The broadcaster has been financed by the parliament on a short-term basis and Kosovo’s government controls most of the managerial positions. Without an independent and secure source of financing, RTK will have difficulties operating as a public service.

“Public broadcasters are not government or party – sponsored broadcasters,” said Oliver Vujovic, SEEMO Secretary General. “Whichever party is in power, the public broadcaster should function as a public service, providing information of public interest. Public and party interests are not always the same,” he added. “I urge Kosovo authorities to secure a durable RTK source of financing. In addition, SEEMO condemns any form of political and religious pressure on media. A free and independent press is an essential pillar of democracy.”

Vienna, 27/07/2011

The Vienna-based South East Europe organization (SEEMO), an affiliate of the International Press Institute (IPI), condemns political and business pressure on media in Serbia, which is particularly pronounced in small towns. The latest victim is Timocka Televizija, a regional TV station based in Zajecar, South East Serbia.

SEEMO was informed that studio guests who provide information or comments on the operations of the copper mining complex RTB Bor receive verbal or telephone threats. They are warned that they will be beaten if they criticise the RTB Bor management. People are scared to appear on TV, SEEMO has learned. Furthermore, if a special program is announced in which RTB Bor may be mentioned, Bor authorities disable the land transmission of the broadcaster. This way, residents of Bor, 30 km from Zejecar, cannot see the channel.

“I urge the Belgrade authorities to do everything they can to guarantee media freedom in small towns where fear has been spreading,” said Oliver Vujovic, SEEMO Secretary General.

Vienna, 28/07/2011

The Vienna-based South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), an affiliate of the International Press Institute (IPI), strongly condemns the latest wave of violence against journalists in Northern Kosovo.

Three journalists were beaten during the latest incidents which occurred on the Serbia-Kosovo border-crossing in Jarinje. One was seriously injured with head injuries.

On 27 July 2011, a Belgrade-based Tanjug agency film crew was attacked by a local mob near the village of Leposavic, in Northern Kosovo. The cameraman was beaten by local residents. His camera was snatched and was used to hit him on the head. He suffered serious head injuries. Another crew member was also beaten but his injuries were less severe. The Tanjug journalist, the only member of the team to escape beating, managed to take his colleagues to a nearby hospital.

The Tanjug film crew was covering incidents on the Jarinje border crossing between Kosovo and Serbia. On 25 July 2011 Kosovo police took over the border installations and Serb forces retaliated. On 27 July 2011, Serbian extremists, according to the official Belgrade explanation, set fire to, and bulldozed, border installations.

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia on 17 February 2008. Serbia does not recognize its independence.

In a separate incident, the Association of Professional Journalists in Kosovo reported that Bojan Bozivic, working for Albanian TV Klan was also beaten and his camera was broken in Northern Kosovo.

“I strongly condemn physical violence against journalists and call on the authorities to find and sanction the perpetrators. Even in crisis situations, journalists have to be protected,” said Oliver Vujovic, SEEMO Secretary General.

Vienna, 29/07/2011

The Vienna-based South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), an affiliate of the International Press Institute (IPI), condemns taxi drivers´ attacks on SKAI TV in Piraeus, (Athens), Greece. Representatives of taxi drivers’ organizations have been protesting against a government decision to deregulate and liberalize their profession.

On 28 July 2011, taxi drivers vented their anger against SKAI TV; they gathered in the courtyard of the SKAI building and threw sharp objects, stones and bottles at windows. Some protesters blocked the building entrance and impeded journalists from entering and leaving. SKAI video footage shows how angry taxi drivers broke security cameras in order to prevent recording.

“SEEMO calls for better police protection of media outlets. Piraeus prosecutors should investigate this case thoroughly and find the perpetrators. As for the taxi drivers, I believe that attacks against media do not represent a solution to their demands,” said Oliver Vujovic, SEEMO Secretary General.

Vienna, 01/08/2011

Slovakian courts violated a publisher’s rights to freedom of expression and information when they ordered it to issue a correction and pay compensation over reports of a high-ranking police official’s alleged drunken public behaviour, the European Court of Human Rights has ruled.

A seven-judge panel on Tuesday unanimously overruled a decision against Bratislava-based multimedia publishing company Ringier Axel Springer Slovakia, citing a failure to examine whether the reports were written in good faith and in accordance with journalistic ethics.

Concluding that the national courts’ decision violated Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, the Strasbourg court also faulted a failure to assess the level of public interest in the articles or to balance that against the individual interests of those concerned.

International Press Institute (IPI) Vice Chairman Pavol Múdry, a member of the board of IPI’s Slovakian Committee, said the committee “welcomes the Strasbourg court’s decision as a clear expression of guidance for Slovak courts and a great step forward for the stabilization of press freedom in the country.”

Former Police Vice President Jozef Petras sued the publisher’s predecessor-in-interest for libel over a series of reports in the print and online editions of Slovakian tabloid NOVY CAS describing a 1999 incident at a restaurant involving Petras and Ján Slota, who at the time was a parliamentary deputy, leader of the Slovak National Party leader and mayor of Žilina.

Tipped off by an anonymous telephone call, a reporter came to the restaurant and observed the two men for about 10 minutes before they left. He concluded that they were inebriated and he wrote a series of pieces based on interviews with witnesses who claimed that Slota was extremely drunk and urinated off the restaurant’s terrace with Petras’ assistance.

The reports also repeated statements that Petras wet his trousers and spoke of organising civic disturbances if Slota would provide protection.

Petras – who was cleared of any impropriety by police investigators and who later left the police force of his own initiative – confirmed that he was at the restaurant with Slota. But he denied the other accounts, and both he and Slota filed suit.

NOVY CAS’s publisher, Ringier Axel Springer Slovakia’s predecessor-in-interest, pointed in its defence to Article 10, which sets forth the right to freedom of expression, including the “freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas without interference by public authority and regardless of frontiers.” The article also provides that the exercise of these freedoms carries “duties and responsibilities” and may be subject to certain restrictions.

A Slovakian court presiding over Petras’ suit found in his favour, concluding that the publisher had not shown that the information in the reports was truthful. In a decision upheld on appeal, the court noted that the reporter had not actually seen the alleged urination and it ruled that the officer’s interest in having his private life respected prevailed over the public’s interest in the incident.

The court then granted Petras’ request for a correction and an apology, and compensation of 23,000 euros, although that amount was later halved on appeal.

However, the judges in Strasbourg held that although the Slovakian courts made reference to journalists’ good faith and the presence of a public interest in the matter, they had failed to take evidence or to make an analysis or draw specific conclusions on those points.

IPI Director Alison Bethel McKenzie joined Múdry in applauding Tuesday’s decision.

“We are happy the Strasbourg court has provided guidance not only to Slovakian courts on evaluating and upholding the rights to freedom of expression and information, but to courts in all other countries that are signatories to the European Convention on Human Rights,” she said. “A robust, free media is vital to democracy, and journalists should not be punished for reporting ethically and in good faith on matters involving public officials.”

The Strasbourg court’s decision is scheduled to become final in three months unless one of the parties requests – and a five-judge panel grants – a referral to the Grand Chamber of the Court. The case is Ringier Axel Springer Slovakia, a.s. v. Slovakia.

The South and East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), an IPI affiliate, supports this release.