19. 06. 2009

ANEM CONDEMNS ATTACKS ON B92 AND JOURNALIST OLJA BECKOVIC

Belgrade, June 19, 2009 - Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM) strongly condemns attacks on its member station, TV B92, and Olja Beckovic, editor and author of the “Impression of the week” TV show, which is broadcasted on B92.

In the night between Wednesday and Thursday, unknown persons threw the fire torch on the B92 building, and tires of the Olja Beckovic car, parked in front on her building, where she lives with her son, were slashed.  B92 characterized the mentioned attacks as a continuance of the chase against this media outlet and Olja Beckovic, which for four days now, is lead by daily „Kurir“.  

To remind, daily „Kurir“ in its issue from June 16, violating the legal ban to make the minor recognizable in the public information, suitable to harm its right or interest, accused fifteen-year-old son of journalist Olja Beckovic to be a drug dealer, and, in the following days, continued with attacks on Olja Beckovic and her family. “Kurir” also attacked media outlet B92, trying to present the marketing contracts of this outlet with Petroleum Industry of Serbia (NIS) as a donations which provided bias reporting of TV B92 regarding the alleged malversations in this company.

Ministry of Culture of Republic of Serbia has submitted offence procedure against “Kurir” for violation of the right of the minor, and B92 announced to sue “Kurir” for slander.

ANEM expresses its full solidarity with attacked colleagues from B92 and joins this media outlet appeal to authorities to stop the lynch and violence, to which the journalists and their families are exposed.

ANEM President, Sasa Mirkovic