Security and freedom of the journalists in Macedonia

The Association of Journalists of Macedonia, celebrated the international day of human rights, 10 December, with a thematic forum on the topic: “Security and Freedom of the Journalists in Macedonia”. The Minister of Internal Affairs, Oliver Spasovski, the Minister of Information Society, Marta Arsovska Tomovska and the Ombudsman, Idzet Memeti, participated at the event, while in the working part, the journalist Tomislav Kezarovski, the President of the Journalists’ Trade Union Tamara Chausidis, the Director of the Council of Media Ethics, Marina Tuneva, Program Manager of MIM, Vesna Nikodinoska, and the leader of AJM, Naser Selmani delivered their remarks.

In the last four years, 24 attacks on journalists in Macedonia have been registered, and half of them happened in the first six months of this year. All forms of violence, both physical and verbal attacks, prevention of reporting from events, and destruction of their equipment and property are present in the country, said Selmani. According to him, the public must understand that the victims of such violence are not only the journalists, but also the citizens who have the right to know what is happening in their country.

The security of journalists is exceptionally important for provision of free and pluralistic media, and each journalist must be protected from physical attacks and threats, the Minister Arsovska Tomovska stressed. The Minister of MIA, Oliver Spasovski stressed again that there was no progress where there were blackmailed, beaten, or imprisoned journalists, and that in the last 2-3 years there was a strong pressure toward the journalists.

“When I am asked how I can sustain the pressures, I respond that my power is in those who have stood behind me and supported me”, the journalist Kezarovski shared. To him, as he said, the fact that the problems are clearly and loudly discussed brings hope. And, he is convinced that a democratic society could be created only through a determined fight. According to Tamara Chausidis, there is a silent amputation of the backbone of journalism going on on the stage, happening on daily basis in the editorial desks, and it is also, as she says, violence which is not manifested by destruction of equipment, physical attacks and/or imprisonment of journalists.

In his remarks, the Ombudsman, Memeti expressed the message that the issues related to security of journalists had not to be justification of human freedoms and right violation. It is necessary to have social care about the security, but not at the expense of freedom of media. In addition, the state organs must effectively punish all pressures on journalists, as well as violation of their security and integrity, Memeti said.

“To talk about freedom of expression and freedom of media when the journalists are subject to violence, is same as talking about peace with a gun pointed at your forehead”, Мarina Tuneva, Director of Council of Ethics stressed. Vesna Nikodinovska from MIM shared many examples of comparative reviews of types of violence against the journalists in the region. The introductory remarks caused a discussion in which the examples that also the families of journalists are subject to threat due to their work were mentioned. These are events which have increased, especially recently.

That is why it is necessary for the state institutions to urgently and unconditionally bring to light and deal with all forms of violence against journalists. Only in that way, the normal condition for execution of the journalist profession will be provided.

This event was organized by AJM in cooperation with the Independent Trade Union of Journalists and Media Workers (SSNM), the Council of Media Ethics in Macedonia (СMЕМ), and the Macedonian Institute for Media (MIM). The event is a part of the Civica Mobilitas program, a project of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), which is implemented by NIRAS from Denmark, Мacedonian Center for International Cooperation (MCIC) and the Swedish Institute for Public Administration (SIPU).