(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is a 30 March 2000 IFJ press release: Prime Time For Freedom: International Campaign for Defence of Independent Media And Free Journalism in Serbia Journalists, publishers, broadcasters and press freedom groups from around the world today launched a campaign – Prime Time for Freedom – to defend independent media and journalists […]
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is a 30 March 2000 IFJ press release:
Prime Time For Freedom:
International Campaign for Defence of Independent Media And Free Journalism in Serbia
Journalists, publishers, broadcasters and press freedom groups from around the world today launched a campaign – Prime Time for Freedom – to defend independent media and journalists in Serbia who are being victimised by the government of Slobodan Milosevic.
The aims of the Campaign, which held its first crisis meeting in Brussels today, are to defend independent media and to support professional organisations currently under threat; to campaign vigorously against actions by the Serb authorities to intimidate journalists; to launch a practical programme of solidarity in defence of media; to seek repeal of the draconian media laws and to replace them with a legal framework that will support international standards of media freedom.
International professional organisations supporting the campaign have already committed funds to an action plan. They are seeking donations in support of:
– a Media Assistance Fund to provide resources to keep the independent press and broadcasting movement alive;
– a Solidarity Fund to provide humanitarian aid to journalists, media staff and their families who are victimised by the authorities; and
– a special Legal Aid Fund to support court cases on behalf of media and journalists facing prosecution and to help prepare texts for a new media legal framework in line with international standards of the regulation of media..
“The situation in Serbia has reached a crisis point,” said Aidan White, General Secretary of the International Federation of Journalists who, along with the World Association of Newspapers, hosted today’s campaign launch meeting after appeals from within Serbia for help.
Veran Matic, Director of the Independent Electronic Media Organisation in Serbia (ANEM) and director of the independent B2-92 radio station said that the Campaign was urgently needed: “The media crisis is deepening. Urgent steps are required to save independent journalism. There will be no hope for democracy if the independent media are extinguished.”
“Independent journalism is under threat of extinction,” said White, “the government is using all forms of quasi-legal and economic sanctions to silence independent voices. A hysterical campaign of vilification has been launched against the independent press.”
Radomir Diklic, Director of BETA News Agency and President of the Association of the Private Media said: “The situation for the press in Serbia is so grave that we need a compehensive programme of solidarity. Actions, not words are what count now.”
The Prime Time For Freedom Campaign is launching a worldwide publicity programme to highlight the crisis of independent media in Serbia and is asking governments covered by the Stability Pact arrangement in South Eastern Europe to provide special programmes that deal with the current emergency in Serbia.
Despite the refusal of the authorities to grant visas to independent media supporters outside Serbia to visit Belgrade, the Campaign organisers still hope for dialogue with government and official representatives.
“We do not want confrontation,” said Timothy Balding, Director General of the World Association of Newspapers. “The issue of press freedom and respect for human rights should be dealt with in an open, honest and challenging dialogue. We are ready to talk and to meet with anyone to help lift the current intolerable pressure on our colleagues.”
Further information: International Federation of Journalists: +32 2 223 22 65
The Prime Time for Freedom Campaign is supported by the following organisations:
International Federation of Journalists
World Association of Newspapers
Committee to Protect Journalists
Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia
Media Resistance
Association of Independent Electronic Media Serbia
Association of Private Media Serbia
Human Rights Watch
European Broadcasting Union
World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters
Article XIX
International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights
International Confederation of free Trade Unions
International Press Institute
World Press Freedom Committee
Journalists’ Unions in the Following Countries:
The Netherlands, (NVJ, Nederlandse Vereniging van Journalisten)
Hungary, (Hungarian Association of Journalists, Hungarian Press Union)
The Campaign is supported by the following Donor Organisations:
OSI Network Media Program
Press Now, Amsterdam
