AJM condemns Panchevski’s insults to journalists

The Association of Journalists of Macedonia strongly condemned the inappropriate and aggressive speech and insults towards the editor and journalists of the “Sakam da kazham” portal (SDK.mk) by the former President of the Criminal Court in Skopje, Vladimir Panchevski for who in July was temporary removed from the post of judge by the Judicial council.

Such behavior does not resemble for a former high official and can be interpreted as a threat and pressure on the work of journalists in this medium. This aggressive speech to journalists by Panchevski could incite violence against our colleagues, and could further endanger their security and restrict freedom of expression.

The Association of Journalists of Macedonia encourages the use of self-regulatory mechanisms. Therefore, if Pancevski considered that the journalists had violated the Code of ethics in their work, he could have filed a complaint to the Council of Honor in AJM or the Council of Media Ethics in Macedonia (CMEM). Otherwise, his behavior is considered as direct pressure on the media.