OSCE representative deeply worried about police intimidating journalists at demonstrations in Skopje

VIENNA, 21 May 2014 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today expressed deep concern about coercive actions by law enforcement officers directed toward journalists covering demonstrations in Skopje.

“Journalists must be able to cover demonstrations freely and without fear of harassment. Any infringement of journalists’ rights is a clear violation of the right to freedom of the media and cannot be tolerated,” Mijatović said.

On 20 May Meri Jordanovska, journalist with Fokus web portal, Sashka Cvetkovska journalist with Nova TV web portal, and Maria Mitevska, journalist with Radio Free Europe were intimidated by law enforcement officers and forced to delete videos recorded at the demonstrations in Gjorce Petrov municipality. The journalists were also requested to provide identification papers and their identities were noted by the law enforcement officers.

“I call on the authorities to swiftly investigate this incident and to take steps to ensure that law enforcement agencies respect the rights of the members of the media,” Mijatović said.

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. She provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on facebook.com/osce.rfom