(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is an IFJ press release: **Updates IFEX alerts of 13 April, 12 April and 9 April 1999** Media Release 21 April 1999 IFJ Protests at NATO Change of Policy on Media Targets After Belgrade Strike NATO’s attack on the headquarters of the Serbian Socialist Party in central Belgrade which also targeted […]
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is an IFJ press release:
**Updates IFEX alerts of 13 April, 12 April and 9 April 1999**
Media Release
21 April 1999
IFJ Protests at NATO Change of Policy on Media Targets After Belgrade Strike
NATO’s attack on the headquarters of the Serbian Socialist Party in central
Belgrade which also targeted media outlets in the same building has led to
protests from the International Federation of Journalists. The IFJ has
written to Secretary General Javier Solana protesting that NATO’s change of
policy from military to civilian targets puts journalists in the firing
line.
Nine days ago spokesman Jamie Shea in a letter to the IFJ on behalf of the
NATO Secretary General confirmed that NATO was only targeting military
targets. In doing so, Jamie Shea repudiated a statement from Air Commodore
Wilby at a NATO briefing that Serb radio and television were a “legitimate
target.”
However, says the IFJ in a new letter to Solana, this policy appears to have
changed: NATO is now pursuing civilian targets, including media, as well as
military targets.
“As a result it amounts to a direct threat to the physical safety and well
being of all journalists in Serbia and Kosovo,” said Aidan White, IFJ
General Secretary, highlighting earlier warnings that independent
journalists in the region could face reprisals on the part of the Milosevic
regime.
The IFJ has urged Solana to consider an urgent reversal of this change of
policy and to reaffirm NATO’s commitment to press freedom and to solidarity
with all independent journalists.
“For almost ten years the IFJ has worked in Serbia and Kosovo, alongside
many other professional organisations, to build confidence in democracy and
media freedom,” said the IFJ.
“We have tried to nurture a culture of transparency and professionalism in
defence of democratic pluralism and human rights. We are, therefore,
profoundly dismayed by NATO’s action. It will reinforce cynicism among many
governments that NATO’s commitment to universal principles of freedom of
expression and press freedom is subject to achieving primarily its military
objectives.”
The IFJ says that NATO’s action, coming as it does at a time of mounting
concern over NATO’s own information strategy, a lack of reliable information
sources, and the recent murder in Belgrade of Slavko Curuvija, editor and
publisher of the independent newspaper Dnevni Telegraf, is a considerable
setback to those striving to bring peace, stability and press freedom to
this region.
The IFJ represents more than 450,000 journalists in 100 countries. It is the
largest organisation of journalists in the world and represents journalists’
groups from all republics and territories in the region of former
Yugoslavia.
APPENDIX
IFJ letter to NATO Secretary General Javier Solana:
Javier Solana
Secretary General
North Atlantic Treaty Organisation
April 21st 1999
Dear Secretary General,
Once again, the IFJ finds it necessary to write to you regarding NATO
attacks on media targets. Today we learn that NATO strikes have taken place
against a civilian facility in central Belgrade which contains the
headquarters of the ruling Socialist Party and a number of media outlets.
This action, which is being reported as a direct attack on media in the
service of Slobodan Milosevic as well as on the administrative headquarters
of his ruling party, goes directly against assurances given to us in a
letter nine days ago from your spokesman who stated:
“The Alliance shares your concern for freedom of the media and the treatment
of journalists. Allied Air missions are planned to avoid civilian
casualties, including of course journalists, and have been frequently
aborted when it has proven impossible to distinguish between military and
civilian targets.”
It appears that NATO policy, as set out in the letter from Mr Shea, has
changed: NATO is now pursing civilian targets, including media, as well as
military targets.
I must repeat the concerns of the IFJ and its member organisations that such
a policy poses a direct threat to the physical safety and well being of all
journalists in Serbia and Kosovo.
The IFJ represents journalists’ groups in both Kosovo and Serbia as well as
more than 130 associations and unions of journalists all around the world.
NATO’s action could lead to reprisals against many independent, free-minded
and professional journalists in the region.
By identifying media as a legitimate target NATO penalises journalists, many
of whom have already suffered censorship, harassment and intimidation. In
addition, such a policy threatens the lives of journalists everywhere – not
just in the Balkans, but in any part of the world where there is war and
conflict.
For almost ten years the IFJ has worked in Serbia and Kosovo, alongside many
other professional organisations, to build confidence in democracy and media
freedom. Our members have tried to nurture a culture of transparency and
professionalism in defence of democratic pluralism and human rights.
We are profoundly dismayed by NATO’s action. It will reinforce cynicism
among many governments that NATO’s commitment to universal principles of
freedom of expression and press freedom is subject to achieving primarily
its military objectives.
This action, coming as it does at a time of mounting concern over NATO’s own
information strategy, a continuing lack of reliable information sources, and
the recent murder of our courageous colleague Slavko Curuvija of Dnevni
Telegraf, is a considerable setback to those striving to bring peace,
stability and press freedom to this region.
We urge you to consider an urgent reversal of this change of policy and to
reaffirm NATO’s commitment to press freedom and to solidarity with all
journalists and media workers, including those from within the region, who
are committed to independent, professional and pluralist information, even
at this time of tragic conflict and hostility.
Yours Sincerely,
AIDAN WHITE
General Secretary
