RESPONSE OF AJM AND SSNM TO BOGDAN ILIEVSKI’S REQUEST FOR AN APOLOGY
The Association of Journalists of Macedonia (AJM) and the Independent Union of Journalists and Media Workers (SSNM) in accordance with their statutes constantly represent and protect the rights of their members and the right to freedom of expression and freedom of speech.
Considering that last week there was a report to both organizations by the journalist Lepa Dzhundeva for hate speech and serious threats addressed to her on a status/comment published on the profile of Bogdan Ilievski on the social network Facebook, the two organizations publicly called that such attacks and threats are inadmissible and can seriously endanger the safety, but also the life of the colleague. Both organizations have been addressing the growing number of attacks and threats, especially against female journalists through social networks, for a long time.
Regarding Ilievski’s status, which consisted of two words, “Okay, why?”, accompanied by only a small part of colleague Dzundeva’s interview with a Greek MP, both organizations assessed that in the current context, he encouraged comments that threatened her security. It was considered that Ilievski, as a public figure who hosts a show on television with a national concession and is also active on social networks where he has a significant number of followers, should be aware that his words, framing, references, and contexts may cause consequences, as indeed happened to her.
Inciting hate speech and threats that may lead to violence does not have to be done with direct words that are clear hate speech. Ilievski is a public figure, whose social and political views are also known due to his participation in public life. Precisely because of that, the responsibility of public figures for the publicly expressed word is greater.
The framing of the colleague in the specific context, with a comment with a link from part of the interview she did with a Greek MP, indicates a very clear intention to expose her in a negative context. In this case, the meaning of the publicly expressed word is especially enhanced because we are in a sensitive period in which emotions in public are at a high level due to the still current topic of the use or non-use of the name Macedonia and the reactions and complaints from Greece. Both organizations in this case emphasize that for them it is extremely important that freedom of expression remains inviolable, regardless of whether there are different opinions in society about a topic of public interest.
Hence, it is necessary to point out that Ilievski’s pointing prompted a huge number of comments from third parties in which there are calls for violence, hate speech on political, national, and gender bases, as well as explicit threats to the life of the journalist Jundeva.
That is why this case was also reported to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, i.e. a comment under Ilievski’s status was indicated, which represents a serious threat to Dzundeva’s security. That comment, which was simultaneously supported and promoted by a group of other users, contains explicit insults, calls for “cutting the tongue” and sexual violence.
We point out that for a similar comment in which the narrative was again “cutting the tongues of journalists” on AJM’s Facebook profile, the Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office took actions that resulted in a final judgment by the Basic Criminal Court to the detriment of the author.
Therefore, we believe that if we withdraw the public condemnation of hate speech against female journalists, we will violate the foundations on which these organizations are founded, such as the defense of the integrity and safety of our members.
The safety of media workers according to the standards of the Council of Europe, of which Macedonia is a member, as well as of the European Federation of Journalists, of which AJM and SSNM are members, is the basis of freedom of expression and freedom of speech.
We remind you that for such cases we have an active memorandum of cooperation with the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Macedonia, as well as a Protocol for the Safety of Journalists (with a focus on female journalists) on the Internet, harmonized with the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
The decision for such and similar reactions goes through a protocol in the organizations that was established for correct and precise assessment of cases of attacks on journalists and media workers and is not the work of individuals.
We expect Bogdan Ilievski to publicly apologize to Lepa Jundeva for what we believe was an unintentional move on his part that caused unacceptable comments directed at her in the past days on social networks. It will be a move that will contribute to calming the unnecessary tension that has arisen, as well as a gesture that we will inevitably welcome. The interest of AJM and SSNM is a united journalistic feeling, tolerance, and respect for being an example in society.
Finally, AJM and SSNM are further concerned that after the public reaction, instead of support for Jundeva, individuals who distort the presented facts about the case have spoken out, thereby increasing the tendency of attacks on women in society and inciting verbal offenses against Jundeva again. In this case, hostile comments towards Ilievski were also observed, which we also condemn, and they are a consequence of the current polarization in society on the specific issue.
Both organizations once again point out that journalists, regardless of their personal views, should report on these issues professionally and free of pressure without exposing themselves to hate speech or framing it in a certain political context.
With respect,
Association of Journalists of Macedonia
Independent union of journalists and media workers
