AJM: We condemn the happenings at the Ministry of Education and Science

The Association of Journalists of Macedonia strongly condemns the attitude of the employees of the Ministry of Education and Science and the members of the disciplinary committee towards the journalists who wanted to attend today’s session at which the commission was supposed to discuss about Inspector Gjorgji Ilievski. Meanwhile, against Ilievski is initiated disciplinary proceeding after releasing information for doubts about illegal promotion of scientific titles of current DUI government officials.

The presence of journalists and the public at meetings of this type is extremely important to ensure fair and equitable procedure, especially when dealing with a subject that is of interest to the general public. Humiliation and disrespect of journalists who work their job is unacceptable in a democratic society because journalists are the eyes and the voice of the public.

According to journalist the Vasko Magleshov who tried to attend the session, not only that  reporters were not allowed to attend the session, but they were ordered to leave the building. The President of the Commission made this decision on his own, without specifying which law permitted that.

The Association of Journalists of Macedonia calls on the Minister of Education and Science, Arber Ademi to apologize to the journalists and publicly condemn this unfortunate event. We expect from him to bring proceedings against the members of the Commission if they have acted contrary to the rules of procedure and have gone beyond their powers.