The Vienna-based South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), a network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in South East Europe and an affiliate of the International Press Institute (IPI), is deeply concerned about the continuing pressure on journalists from local government in the Serbian town of Vranje.

According to information before SEEMO, Miroljub Stojcic, the mayor of Vranje, constantly refuses to give elementary information on the work of local government to the journalists of the two independent local media outlets, OK Radio and Vranjske newspaper. This is despite the fact that, as a public service official, he is obliged to do so. On 6 September, two representatives of the Serbian Radical Party (SRS) in the Municipal Assembly made verbal threats to Sasa Stojkovic, a journalist working for Vranjske. A few days later, Nenad Stosic, president of the Municipal Assembly, openly threatened to arrest the owner of OK Radio.

Speaking about the incident, Oliver Vujovic, SEEMO Secretary-General, said, “SEEMO regards the behaviour of the local officials to be a direct violation of press freedom and the rights of journalists because all authorities must treat journalists equally and allow them access to information.”

“Therefore, we urge the Vranje local authorities to respect press freedom and to allow journalists to do their work freely and without constraints. SEEMO would also like to emphasise that freedom of expression and a safe working environment for journalists are the fundamental principles of any democratic society.”

Vujovic added, “The number of threats on journalists has increased in recent months and SEEMO has been informed of several serious threats in Serbia against journalists and editors from RTV B92, Danas daily and Vecernje novosti daily. Now we have threats from local politicians against OK Radio and Vranjske newspaper. This is very alarming.”

For any further information please contact:
SEEMO – IPI, Spiegelgasse 2/29, 1010 Vienna, Austria,
Tel (SEEMO+HELP LINE): +43 1 513 39 40, Tel (SEEMO): +43 1 512 90 11 11,
Fax: +43 1 512 90 15, E-mail: [email protected], Web: http://www.seemo.org