20. 01. 2005

MEDIA PRESSURE CONTINUES

BELGRADE, January 20, 2005 – The Independent Association of Serbian Journalists said today that Serbia media are still operating under pressure from all sides. Media Files editor Dragutin Roknic says that pressure comes in all forms, from threats of physical violence, through legal proceedings against journalists to wiretapping. Members of the association say that journalists are most frequently under attacks from criminals, politicians and “new businessmen”. Of particular concern over the past six months has been the number of threats to journalists over articles about Hague Tribunal suspects. Roknic also notes that it is not always easy for journalists to be objective, adding that issues are often analysed in one political party but overlooked in others, which he describes as a corruption of the ideals and integrity of journalists. Association president Nebojsa Bugarinovic said, however, that there is no indication that pressure has increased over the past six months, but that it has certainly not decreased. Novine Vranjske proprietor and editor, Vukasic Obradovic said that there is a serious problem for local newspapers because of the level of control exercised by local authorities. He believes that it is important to privatise such newspapers and magazines as soon as possible. Members of the association have presented a code of behaviour for journalists, which defines the obligations to protect professional standards, to protect the principles of freedom of information and the right to information, and to fight for the freedom to demand, receive and distribute information. The principles of the code stipulate that journalists are obliged to present factual, verified, unabridged and appropriate information. They are also obliged to state sources but not expose them. Journalists additionally have an obligation to fight against the manipulation of information and censorship and to correct damaging inaccurate facts. They are also required to refrain from publishing information which damages the right to privacy. The code also stipulates that journalists should refuse perquisites which could affect the independence of their work and must avoid the use of ethnic, racial or religious descriptions for the purpose of discrimination. Bugarinovic, noting that the code is not binding, said that there must be a single code of behaviour for all journalists associations in order for ethical standards to become obligatory.