The Public Prosecutor’s Office, ex officio, must immediately take measures against persons who made threats against TVKanal 5 journalist AleksandarVidinovski, as well as spread hate speech, xenophobia, provoke national intolerance and threaten his life, after the publication of his video about illegally parked vehicles in front of the Bulgarian Embassy, the Macedonian Association of Journalists (MAJ) reacted in a press release Tuesday.
“We are quoting only some of the threats, for which there are screenshots attached to this reaction: “Asnom bastards”, “Macedonia is ours, we will do whatever we want,” “You should be dead”. These are the most direct threats against journalist and editor of TV Kanal 5 AleksandarVidinovski, which constitute threats against an official in accordance with the Criminal Code.
In addition to direct threats to the journalist, the individuals with their full name are also threatening the Macedonian people, as well as the military overthrow of the Constitutional order of Macedonia.
Such threats are direct pressure on the constitutionally guaranteed freedom of speech not to report on violations of positive legal regulations in Macedonia, even by foreign diplomatic and consular missions and representatives.
With such threats and pressure, in addition to threats to life, there is also a threat to journalists in general and an impact on the overall freedom of speech, and not just pressure on a specific journalist and media outlet,” reads the MAJ’s reaction.
There is also a reaction from the Association of Journalists in Macedonia (AJM). The association points out that “messages with offensive, chauvinistic and hateful content, as well as direct threats to life (“death to you”), represent a serious violation of the right to freedom of expression and a direct threat to the safety of the journalist. Such attacks are aimed at exerting pressure and intimidation due to professional reporting on a matter of public interest.”
The AJM, through its legal team, provided legal assistance to journalist AleksandarVidinovski, and filed a complaint with the Ministry of Interior. We expect the competent institutions to act urgently, identify the perpetrators and ensure an appropriate institutional response, in accordance with legal jurisdiction.
We remind you that journalist Vidinovski reported on a problem of public interest – illegal parking on a public area, to which citizens also reacted, and on which the Ministry of Interior also expressed a position. Journalists must not be the target of threats, insults and hate speech because of their professional work,” reads the AJM press release.
