18. 08. 2005

Dismay at minister's insults and threats against journalists

Ilic has a history of such behaviour. "We are appalled at the way the minister and his aide insulted and threatened journalists in public," the press freedom organisation said. "If politicians react like this to questions they do not want to answer, it shows how fragile press freedom is in Serbia-Montenegro." B92 reporter Ana Veljkovic asked Ilic about his role in the decision to drop charges against Marko Milosevic - the son of former Yugoslavian president Slobodan Milosevic - who was accused of kidnapping and beating Zoran Milovanovic, a member of an anti-Milosevic youth group, in 2000. Instead of answering the question, Ilic and his press adviser, Petar Lazovic, responded with a torrent of abusive and sexist remarks about Veljkovic. They then turned on all of RTV B92's journalists, insulting and slandering them and even making death threats. They were especially scathing about the group's managing director and editor in chief, Veran Matic. Created in 1989, Radio and Television B92 is one of Serbia's leading independent media groups. Ilic has insulted journalists in the past, often using obscene remarks. On 1 June 2003, when he was mayor of the central city of Cacak, he attacked journalist Vladimir Jesic during an interview broadcast by TV Apolo. Although the TV station filed a complaint, Ilic was not charged. Before that, in 2001, he was accused by breaking the windows of radio Ozone in Cacak. Matic has filed a complaint against Lazovic, Ilic's press adviser, accusing him of making death threats. Pascale Bonnamour Responsable du bureau Europe / Head of Europe desk Reporters sans frontières / Reporters Without Borders