OSCE Representative calls for immediate investigation of death threats against journalists in Skopje

VIENNA, 22 April 2015 –OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today called on the authorities to immediately investigate last night’s death threat against the editor of NOVA TV Borjan Jovanovski and his family.

“This horrendous act adds to the already fragile media environment situation in the country and sends yet another message that critical voices are to be silenced,” Mijatović said. “Acts like these acts have a clear chilling effect on free media and are not acceptable in a democratic society.”

On 21 April, a funeral wreath with a message “Final Farewell” was placed in front of Jovanovski’s home in Skopje. The threat was reported to the police. Mijatović noted that the VMRO-DPMNE political party, the Journalists’ Plenum, Macedonian Institute for Media, the Agency for Audio and Audio-visual Media Services, and both journalists associations AJM and MAN condemned the incident.

“I call on the authorities to launch an immediate and thorough investigation. For many years Jovanovski has been exposed to threats and widespread criticism for his critical reporting,” Mijatović said. “The authorities need to show that there can be no impunity for such acts, and they should start with fully investigate this death threat and bring perpetrators to justice”. 

On 22 April, journalist Zoran Bojarovski received death threats via Facebook. Bojarovski reported the incident to the police and an investigation has been launched.

The Representative called on the government to reverse the trend of deteriorating media freedom in the country. The recent developments include conviction and subsequent release on parole of journalist Tomislav Kezarovski; the declaration of Jadranka Kostova as a secret services informant and the allegations of over 100 journalists being wiretapped.

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 www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.