(IFJ/IFEX) – On 5 October 1998, the IFJ expressed shock at recent threats to media workers from the Serbian authorities. According to IFJ’s information, over the past few days there have been threats and attacks on members of the international media and local independent media from various angles. Deputy Prime Minister Vojislav Seselj stated that […]
(IFJ/IFEX) – On 5 October 1998, the IFJ expressed shock at recent threats
to media workers from the Serbian authorities. According to IFJ’s
information, over the past few days there have been threats and attacks
on members of the international media and local independent media from
various angles. Deputy Prime Minister Vojislav Seselj stated that “most
of the so-called independent media in Serbia are exponents of foreign
powers.” He continued “we can’t shoot down every NATO plane but we can
grab those agents who are at hand.” In a separate statement given at a
news conference on 2 October, Seselj threatened foreign nationals,
foreign journalists and “our citizens who serve foreign powers” stating
that they were not protected by the Geneva Conventions. He specifically
targeted those working for Voice of America, Deutsche Welle, Radio Free
Europe, Radio France International and the British Broadcasting
Corporation. This includes the electronic media in the Association of
Independent Electronic Media (ANEM) Radio Network, which provide
independent news to 80% of the Yugoslav population.
**For background, see IFEX alerts of 3 October, and 30 and 29 September
1998**
These statements from Seselj follow the postponement of a conference
organised by ANEM after the Yugoslav authorities refused to grant visas
to a large number of the invited foreign delegates (see IFEX alerts of 30
and 29 September).
Meanwhile Serbian Radio Television has made broadcasts accusing the
independent media in Serbia of “immorality” and “high treason.”
All of these events prepare the ground for the closure of independent
media and attacks on foreign journalists, says IFJ. The independent and
foreign media are some of the few remaining obstacles to the authorities’
attempts to galvanise the population into supporting their actions in
Kosovo. The IFJ considers that these actions are direct attacks on
freedom of expression, and amount to the beginnings of war propaganda
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the authorities below:
journalist is hindered in the exercise of his/her profession
Serbian officials, journalists are specifically covered by the Geneva
Conventions
Appeals To
Dragan Tomic
President of the Republic of Serbia
Belgrade, Serbia
Fax: +381 11 684 679Mirko Marjanovic
Prime Minister of the Government of the Republic of Serbia
Belgrade, Serbia
Fax: +381 11 657 379
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
