OSCE Representative concerned by recent incidents of blocked access to online media content in Serbia

VIENNA, 13 December 2013 - OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today expressed concern about recent incidents where stories have been illegally removed from prominent online news sites in Serbia.

“Hacking websites and blocking access to media content is a clear violation of the right to free expression. The Internet provides unparalleled opportunities to support these rights and is essential for the free flow and access to information,” Mijatović said.

This week investigative news stories have been deleted from some media websites after they were hacked. An article by journalist Miodrag Sovilj was removed from numerous websites including the website of Centre for Investigative Journalism of Serbia and Autonomija.info after being hacked.

Mijatovic noted that the Independent Journalists' Association of Serbia and Independent Journalists' Association of Vojvodina recently issued a joint statement condemning these incidents.

“I trust the authorities will do their utmost to protect the culture of free Internet that exists in Serbia. A free Internet is a precondition for free media to thrive,” Mijatović said.