11. 02. 2005

REACTIONS TO DISMISSAL IN TV APOLO

NOVI SAD, February 11, 2005 – Two former journalists of Novi Sad-based public station TV Apolo Dimitrije Vidanovic and Tatjana Vencelovski told media that their recent dismissal came as a response to their effort to provide impartial and professional reporting. Vencelovski stressed that station’s director Sasa Adamovic had been demanding from journalists not to air footages of certain political parties’ activities. Vojvodina information Secretary Milorad Djuric commented the case as contrary to the principles of professional journalism and not in favor of the overall society democratization. Goran Vasic, Democratic Party official said that the latest dismissals in TV Apolo showed that the city authority was targeting professionals refusing to act as the party mouthpieces. Director Sasa Adamovic reiterated denial that dismissals were politically motivated, stressing the inefficient human resources management in TV Apolo.