Politicians need to ensure a safe environment for media, says OSCE Representative following attack and intimidation of journalist in Skopje

VIENNA, 16 July 2015 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today criticized an attack on a journalist in Skopje and a threatening public statement against journalists by the ruling VMRO-DPMNE party.

Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Pesevski yesterday physically attacked Sase Ivanovski, owner and editor of online news portal Maktel, after the journalist tried to get a statement from him. Later the Deputy Prime Minister Pesevski publicly apologized for his unwarranted reaction toward the journalist, in a statement on his official Facebook page.

Following the incident the party issued a press release chastising the journalist for being provocative and adding that journalists will bear consequences if they jeopardize the privacy, freedom and rights of any individual.

“It is appalling that following the attack on a journalist the ruling party issued a statement condemning the journalist for provocation, as opposed to condemning the attack itself,” Mijatović said. “Public officials and politicians must have a higher tolerance for critical reporting and have a duty to protect all journalists.

Mijatović welcomed the fact that the Deputy Prime Minister publicly acknowledged his wrongdoing and apologized, but was critical of the statement and the threat issued by the ruling party.

On 23 May Mijatovic condemned previous attack on journalist Sase Ivanovski in Skopje //www.osce.org/fom/159811

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.