27. 08. 2004

Protest over journalist fine

JAGODINA, August 27, 2004 (Beta) – Professional journalist associations have protested at a fine of 250,000 dinars (about 3,400 euros) imposed on journalist Relja Milanovic. The fine was imposed by a court in Jagodina after Milanovic, a journalist with local Novi Put, was acquitted of libel charges. Despite the acquittal, he was ordered to pay 250,000 dinars for damage to the honour and reputation of Jagodina Brewery director Jovan Stojanovic, who was arrested in the police crackdown following the assassination of prime minister Zoran Djindjic. A recording of the television program Ricochet, showing the arrest of Stojanovic, was shown at a press conference given by Milanovic at which Association of Serbian Journalists president Nino Brajovic also spoke. The program, which was broadcast by state media, claimed that, according to unofficial information, Stojanovic was detained in connection with the murder of journalist Milan Pantic. Milanovic subsequently republished this information in Novi Put on April 23 last year. The ruling handed down in the Milanovic case is seen by Serbian journalists as a severe blow to their profession in general and in particular to the right of freedom of information. Journalists have appealed to state bodies to suspend this damages payment pending a ruling from the Supreme Court on the protection of legality, said Brajovic.