(IPI/IFEX) – The following is a 24 November 2006 press release by the South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), an IPI affiliate: Vienna, 24 November 2006 The Vienna-based South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), a network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in South East Europe and an affiliate of the International Press Institute […]
(IPI/IFEX) – The following is a 24 November 2006 press release by the South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), an IPI affiliate:
Vienna, 24 November 2006
The Vienna-based South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), a network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in South East Europe and an affiliate of the International Press Institute (IPI), is deeply concerned about recent death threats against a journalist from Bosnia-Herzegovina.
According to information before SEEMO, Mubarak Asani, a journalist for the Sarajevo-based public broadcaster BHT 1 TV, received anonymous death threats via telephone after the broadcasting of an investigative report in the weekly political programme “Javna tajna” (Public Secret) on 2nd November 2006. The report revealed details about an illegal prostitution ring in the city of Sarajevo involving politicians and other public persons in Bosnia-Herzegovina, although the names of the politicians were not disclosed.
After the programme was broadcast, Asani received over a hundred anonymous threatening phone calls, as well as a bribe offer to make public the names of the politicians involved.
Speaking about the incident, Oliver Vujovic, SEEMO Secretary General, said: “SEEMO strongly condemns such threats against journalists, as well as all activities which restrict the work of journalists.”
SEEMO asks all officials in Bosnia-Herzegovina to investigate these threats and would remind them that it is important to respect the right of journalists to not reveal their sources, which is a cornerstone of press freedom.
SEEMO is a regional network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in South East Europe.
