AJM: Condemnation of Threats Against Journalist Ismaili

The Association of Journalists of Macedonia (AJM) expresses serious concern over the increased number of reports from fellow journalists and media outlets about online attacks and the dissemination of offensive, discrediting and inappropriate comments – including from public officials and political representatives – during the local election campaign.

The latest example is the case of colleague Mefail Ismaili and the ORA24.TV portal, which was the target of multifaceted attacks, threats and a coordinated negative campaign on social media by party activists, related to the election process in Struga. One of the comments contains explicit hate speech, at the level of a public lynching, as one of the posts on ORA24.TV states: “This man should be tied up and beaten until it rains”. Another comment states: “You should catch this ignoramus and drag him around Veleshta”.

Such public announcements and comments are not only inappropriate, but also create a hostile environment that does not allow journalists to freely and safely carry out their work, and such hate speech can also cause crimes motivated by hate speech. AJM will inform the Ministry of Interior about this.

Such attempts to discredit professional journalists are a direct blow to media freedoms and democratic processes in the country.

AJM recalls that attacks and pressures on journalists, especially during election periods, threaten the public’s right to receive accurate, timely and verified information. Instead of encouraging transparency, such behavior creates fear and self-censorship among journalists, which is unacceptable in a democratic society.

AJM appeals to all public officials, political representatives, party activists and other participants in the election process to refrain from insults, threats, inappropriate statements and sharing unverified information directed at journalists and the media.

Journalists should carry out their work professionally, without fear, pressure and obstruction, and institutions have an obligation to ensure conditions for their safety and independence.

AJM will continue to closely monitor such cases and provide legal and professional support to all journalists facing pressure and attacks.