MIM: Freedom of Information Under Threat in Macedonia

Makedonski institut za mediumi

The Macedonian Institute for the Media reacted to yesterday�s incidents in the Sobranie of the Republic of Macedonia (the Parliament), during which reporters and other media professionals were attacked, detained and prevented from pursuing their daily activities.

�Fights in legislative institutions are not new or unheard off. We have seen it happen in developed countries like Italy and Japan, but also in parliaments of developing countries. Still, in those incidents, no violence against members of the press was noted, which illustrates the sad fact that, in terms of treatment of reporters and the public, Macedonian politics remain at a very low level�, says MIM�s press release.

According to MIM, the attack on the reporter of A1 TV, Lirim Dulovi, by a member of the security detaile of one political party, as well as the detainment of Alsat TV�s cameramen, demonstrate that freedom of information and security of journalists is under serious threat, even when they conduct their daily activities in institutions of power, which, naturally, should be among the most secure places in any given country.

�Yesterday�s events will result in further deterioration of Macedonia�s ratings in various global surveys of freedom of speech and freedom of media�, says MIM.

MIM appealed to the political parties represented in the Sobranie and all involved parties to calm down and to not allow for journalists and citizens of Macedonia to become collateral victims of the daily political infighting.