24. 02. 2009

ANEM AND NUNS CONDEMN THREATS AND ATTACK AGAINST EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF RADIO "BUS" FROM KOVIN

Belgrade, February 24, 2009 – Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM) and the Independent Journalists' Association of Serbia (NUNS) condemn threats and attack against Vladimir Vjestic, the editor-in-chief of the Radio BUS from Kovin.

Radio "BUS" announced on Monday that their editor-in-chief, Vladimir Vjestic, was threatened on Saturday, February 21, by Predrag Milovanovic, private entrepreneur from Kovin, because of alleged "biased reporting by the Radio BUS". After Vjestic warned Milovanovic that he was going to report the threats to the police, Milovanovic tried to physically assault him, but was prevented to do so by the owner and one of the guests of the restaurant in Kovin, where the event took place. Radio "BUS" states that the most probable reason for threats and the assault is the statement of the director of a local public company broadcast by the Radio "BUS" as his response to accusations made by the Citizens' Association "Preporod". Milovanovic has close ties to this Association, which will most probably participate in early local election in the Municipality of Kovin to be held on April 5.

ANEM and NUNS point out that election process in Serbia has too often been accompanied by increased pressure on the media outlets that report on the election campaign. ANEM and NUNS believe that it is of utmost importance that participants in the political process refrain from behaviour which limits the freedom of expression and the freedom of information, and consider that any kind of physical or any other pressure on the media or their employees is completely unacceptable.

Behaviour of broadcasters with regard to elections and election campaign is regulated in detail by law, as well as by general mandatory guidelines and recommendations by the Republic Broadcasting Agency, together with a clear emphasis on equality and non-discriminatory behaviour with regard to all participants in the election process, but including guarantees of editorial freedom and independence in the manner and amount of election reporting. The Republic Broadcasting Agency monitors the broadcasters, especially regarding the adherence to the rules of reporting on election campaigns and elections, and it is authorized to sanction the violation of those rules. Any attempt of election participants or persons close to them to make threats or exert pressure with the aim to violate editorial freedom or influence the manner and amount of reporting on participants in the election process is completely unacceptable.

ANEM President, Sasa Mirkovic