Security Protocol and Guidelines for Ethical Reporting from the Funeral of the Kocani Victims

The Government of the Republic of North Macedonia, in coordination with the Ministry of Interior (MI) and in consultation with the Association of Journalists of Macedonia (AJM), as well as the Independent Union of Journalists and Media Workers (SSNM), have developed a security protocol for reporting from the funeral of the victims of the tragic event that occurred on March 16 in Kocani.

For media representatives reporting on the event, police officers will provide a special zone from the procession route, 300 meters from the entrance to the chapel to the city cemetery in Kocani. This area will be secured by members of the MI in order to guarantee order and security in the designated area. The ban on the operation of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) will also apply in this zone.

This media protocol aims to protect the privacy of the victims’ families, while at the same time allowing journalists and cameramen to safely follow the event from an appropriate distance.

Considering the sensitivity of this tragedy and the universal ethical standards for professional reporting, the Association of Journalists of Macedonia (AJM) and the Independent Union of Journalists and Media Workers (SUSM) call on all journalists and media to adhere to the following ethical principles:

Respect for personal pain and dignity – Journalists should report with empathy, without invading the privacy of the victims’ families.

Avoiding sensationalism – Reporting on tragic events must be free from sensations, speculation or emotionally charged narratives, photos and videos.

Publishing verified information – Confirmed facts should be reported to prevent misinformation.

Maintaining balance and impartiality – Media should ensure that their reporting does not contribute to public unrest.

In addition, we recall that the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), in its statement of 18.03 on this tragedy, also stressed the importance of ethical reporting. The IFJ Global Code of Ethics underlines the duty of journalists to respect the dignity of people and to prioritize accuracy over speed when reporting on this tragic event.

In order to ensure unhindered movement and identification, media workers should carry PRESS badges and journalist ID cards issued by their home media outlets.