02. 08. 2004

Hundreds of charges against media

BELGRADE, August 2, 2004 (Beta) – There are more than three hundred current legal actions against journalists and media in Serbia, according to an analysis by the Independent Association of Serbian Journalists. This, says the association, represents a new phenomenon which has emerged since the democratic changes of October 2000, and the repeal of the notorious Public Information Act. The association began its research on libel and damage suits against media and journalists as a first step in confronting the problem, particularly in view of the danger that large numbers of charges and proceedings against media and journalists could become a means of censorship. The report on the research covers the period from February 2001 to May 2004. A number of charges were laid last year by the former head of the Serbian Government’s Communications Bureau, Vladimir “Beba” Popovic, against NIN, Vecernje Novosti, Balkan, B92 and the Humanitarian Law Centre. Some of these have since been dismissed while others are still before the courts. Popovic himself, together with the editor of Belgrade daily Politika, has been sued by journalist Aleksandar Tijanic. Tijanic claims that Popovic repeatedly mentioned him at press briefings for media editors-in-chief held by the government during the state of emergency which followed the assassination of prime minister Zoran Djindjic. According to Tijanic, Popovic linked him to an organised group of journalists who, Popovic alleged, had exerted media pressure on Djindjic prior to his death on March 12, last year. Tijanic, who is now the director of Radio Television Serbia, the state’s own media system, has sued Politika for falsely claiming that he was detained by police during the investigation of the assassination. One of the largest claims for non-material damage, 33 million dinars or about 450,000 euros, is that laid against VIN Production editor-in-chief Gordana Susa by folk singer Zorica Brunclik. The report also lists charges laid by present and former state officials and public figures against media and journalists, along with cases in which media are suing media. Many of these seek damages worth millions of dinars for mental anguish and damage to reputation. The association also lists about ten suits filed this year against journalists and media including Kurir, Svet, Nacional, Vreme and RTV B92.