(IFJ/IFEX) – Several journalists were assaulted by police during demonstrations in Belgrade protesting the recent dismissals of opposition Mayor Zoran Djindjic and the managers of the television station Studio B (see IFEX alert of 2 October 1997). Bojana Lekic and Branka Stankovic, both with Radio B-92, and Misa Savic, a reporter for the news agency […]
(IFJ/IFEX) – Several journalists were assaulted by police during
demonstrations in Belgrade protesting the recent dismissals of
opposition Mayor Zoran Djindjic and the managers of the
television station Studio B (see IFEX alert of 2 October 1997).
Bojana Lekic and Branka Stankovic, both with Radio B-92, and Misa
Savic, a reporter for the news agency Associated Press (AP), were
all variously assaulted by police officers, who deliberately
targeted them. As well, police reportedly grabbed Lekic’s mobile
phone and threw it away.
**For background to assaults of other journalists covering
demonstrations against the dismissal of Belgrade’s mayor and the
top management of Studio B, see IFEX alert dated 3 October 1997**
Elsewhere, on 1 October 1997, Natasha Bogovic, a journalist with
the newspaper “Danas”, was reporting on demonstrations by
Albanian students in Pristina, Kosovo, when an undercover
policeman removed and destroyed her camera.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
freedom and of the fundamental human rights of the journalists
concerned
appear to indicate a willingness to intimidate journalists in the
exercise of their profession in order to limit independent
coverage of events on the streets of Belgrade
is undertaken into these events, and that those responsible are
held to account
out their professional activities freely, including the coverage
of events which do not favour the government
Appeals To
His Excellency Slobodan Milosevic
President
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
Fax: +381 11 656 862 / 682 167 / 682 850 / 636 775His Excellency Zoran Lilic
President
Republic of Serbia
Fax: +381 11 656 862 / 682 167Ministry of Information
Republic of Serbia
Fax: +381 11 685 937 / 659 370
e-mail: mirs@eunet.yuFederal Ministry of Information
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
Fax: +381 11 600 446
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
