(GHM/IFEX) – Greek Helsinki Monitor is protesting the punitive demotion of reporter Gorica Popova from her editorial position to the position of “junior associate” by the new general director of state-owned Macedonian Radio and Television, Ljupcho Jakimovski, despite the disagreement of her immediate superior, Gjorgji Varoshlija, director and editor-in-chief of Macedonian radio. The demotion was […]
(GHM/IFEX) – Greek Helsinki Monitor is protesting the punitive demotion of
reporter Gorica Popova from her editorial position to the position of
“junior associate” by the new general director of state-owned Macedonian
Radio and Television, Ljupcho Jakimovski, despite the disagreement of her
immediate superior, Gjorgji Varoshlija, director and editor-in-chief of
Macedonian radio.
The demotion was ordered because of Popova’s commentary concerning a
memorial service held in Novo Selo in honour of controversial inter-war
historical figure Todor Aleksandrov. The action was explained by the fact
that Popova aired a commentary “without prior announcement in the radio news
service, because the commentary is contrary to the editorial policy of MRTV,
and because of unprofessional conduct on her part,” reported the Macedonian
Information Agency on 29 January 1999.
The demotion was clearly related to the views expressed in the journalist’s
commentary, and is consequently a flagrant punitive action and an attack
against freedom of expression, as the Macedonian Helsinki Committee declared
in Skopje.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the Information Minister:
that it represents an attack against freedom of expression, and a worrisome
signal by the new government, which has pledged to bring the country closer
to European democratic standards
a
pledge that no such actions will reoccur in the future
Appeals To
Mr. Redjep Zlatku
Minister of Information
Macedonia
Fax: +389 91 114 162
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
