Vienna, 02/12/2014
The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) was alarmed to learn about the recent developments in Serbia, regarding threats and pressures made towards journalists and their media outlets.
Correspondent of the national public broadcaster RTS from the city of Nis, Dragana Sotirovski, has been the target of threats and hate speech by the management of the Sokobanja hospital since November 2013, due to the series of reports about illegal activities conducted by the hospital’s establishment that she has been investigating. Sotirovski was labelled as „persona non grata“ in the hospital premises, and has received threats.
SEEMO was also appalled to hear about the behavior of the president of the Municipality of Grocka towards the informative portal „Nasa Grocka“ and its editor in chief, Zeljko Matorcevic. The president of the Municipality allegedly told Matorcevic that he is prohibited from attending the sessions of the local Parliament, and that he would be fined in case of disobedience.
„Threats, pressure, attacks and censorship cannot be a behavior towards journalists”, said Oliver Vujovic, SEEMO secretary general.