20. 06. 2008

ANEM CONDEMNS THE ATTACK ON RTV JEDINSTVO JOURNALIST FROM NOVI PAZAR, B92 CORRESPONDENT IVANA MILIC AND CAMERAMAN EDIS KLIMENTA

Belgrade, June 20, 2008 – Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM) protests against the yesterday attack on RTV Jedinstvo journalist from Novi Pazar, B92 correspondent Ivana Milic and cameraman Edis Klimenta.

On Thursday morning, Ivana Milic, investigating the cases of illegal construction in Novi Pazar, was interviewing a citizen who claimed that he was unable to stop the construction of an illegal building at his private property. Two individuals attacked the journalist, the cameraman and the interviewee at the street in the center of Novi Pazar, insulting them, yelling and throwing insults. They threatened to cut their throats if the report was broadcast on television.

ANEM commends the swift reaction of the police who arrested the attackers, and insists that they be tried and convicted for their outrageous threats against the journalist and cameraman. ANEM points out that numerous unpunished attacks against journalists led to offenders feeling comfortable with throwing death threats in broad daylight at public places and in front of many passers-by witnessing those acts, which demonstrates the adverse conditions for activities of journalists in Serbia, especially investigative journalists.

The realization of the main purpose of the media in the democratic society is impossible if journalists receive death threats while doing investigative work and collecting information of public interest. ANEM demands that the authorities guarantee the security of Ivana Milic, Edis Klimenta and others exposed to attacks because of their work, and take adequate measures to allow journalists and the media in Serbia to inform the public without pressures and fear for their safety.

Sasa Mirkovic,

ANEM Chairman