OSCE media freedom representative condemns attacks on journalists in Skopje

VIENNA, 1 March 2017 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today condemned recent attacks on journalists in Skopje.

A1on news portal journalist Aleksandar Todevski and camera operator Vladimir Zhelchevski were beaten while covering protests outside the parliament. They were hospitalized. Zhelchevski reportedly sustained a head injury and his equipment was damaged.

“Journalists must be able to do their work in a free and safe manner,” Mijatović said. “It is the responsibility of the authorities to ensure their safety anytime and anywhere.”

The previous day, crews from TV Telma and TV24 were verbally attacked by several people while filming the protests.

“I urge the authorities to prosecute the people involved in the incident,” Mijatović said. “I also welcome their quick reaction and intention to bring the perpetrators to justice. This sends a strong message that any kind of violence against journalists is not acceptable in a democratic society.”

Mijatović also noted that the political parties VMRO-DPMNE, SDSM, Besa Movement and the Alliance for Albanians condemned the incident, along with the Independent Trade Union of Journalists and Media Workers, the national journalists’ associations AJM and MAN, the Council of Media Ethics and the Agency for Audio and Audio-visual Media Services.

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. She provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.