Freedom of speech and protected professional work of journalists are among the fundamental indicatives of a democratic State. Civil society monitoring over the State is developed and enhanced through journalistic work.
In performing their activities, journalists are guided by principles of responsible journalism. This requires that everyone, and particularly State representatives, be guided by the presumption of lawfulness and good faith of a journalist.
Therefore, any interference with a journalist’s work shall receive the proper reaction of respective state authorities, and the offender shall be subjected to indispensable measures of liability. The journalist shall be convinced that his/her professional work is protected by the State.
Certainly, every member of the society has freedom of choice in following this or that media company and journalist. At the same time, it is very concerning that in a specific situation there exists such attitude on the social media towards “Hraparak” daily which is insulting and amounts to interference with freedom of speech. Specifically, calls for “denying” the media company are rapidly disseminated on the social media, and one of the mentioned reasons is the “non-objective criticism” by the media company. Moreover, observations by the Human Rights Defender’s Office show that there are comments, on the webpage of “Hraparak” daily, which contain insults and threats towards the media company and its journalists. Starting from June 22, this phenomenon has intensified and led to personal threats against the journalists of the media company.
It is very concerning that as of now respective state authorities have not issued an official statement in reaction to this phenomenon. Such approach is also dangerous in that it may create a favorable atmosphere for illegitimate interferences with freedom of speech of the media and freedom of speech in general. The concerns grow even further in considering that intolerance in the social network does not stop, which amounts to hatred in specific cases. Pluralism must be always promoted, and one of its effective guarantees is operation of free media companies in the country.
The Human Rights Defender will focus additional attention to the attitude towards journalists on the social media and to the State’s proportionate reaction, in order to contribute to ensuring guarantees for respect towards the professional work of journalists and unimpeded performance by journalists of their activities. In this respect, the Human Rights Defender will also cooperate with international organizations bearing the mandate of protecting journalists.