09. 03. 2015

Authorities should take serious steps to protect reporters

In reaction to the postponement of the show Reporter on TV B92, NUNS said that it was another sad indicator of how much reporter freedoms were at threat and what the situation on the Serbian media scene was.

NUNS said that a campaign against Brankica Stankovic, the author of the show (which investigated corruption in football clubs) had been going on for days, and that officials of sport clubs, as well as people from sport fan organisations, were threatening reporters openly.

"The government has not reacted to this threat to media freedom and personal safety with appropriate measures, neither havae officials shown in any way that they are disturbed because of the threats coming to sport club managements and fan groups," the statement says.

NUNS pointed out that, unfortunately, some media were also taking part in the orchestrated attacks and condemned such behaviour, calling on all fellow journalists to show solidarity, since it would be needed to achieve better conditions for journalistic work.

"Stronger support from the public is also necessary in that import work" the statement says.

TV B92 announced on Monday that they had agreed with Insajder desk editor Stankovic to postpone the next episode of Reporter.

"The safety of our reporters is the most important thing for TV B92 and at this moment the only rational solution is to postpone the show and protect the journalists of the Insajder desk at least in some way," the statement says.

TV B92 points out that Stankovic has been guarded by the police for years now, and that mocking the whole situation she is in has threatened her safety even more, along with the safety of her team.