The Association of Journalists of Macedonia (АЈМ) condemns the unfounded private criminal lawsuits by the political party LEVICA against journalist and editor Goce Mihajloski and journalist Mihaela Dimovska from Kanal 5 television.

In particular, the Left political party informed today through a press release that they filed a private criminal complaint against Goce Mihajloski, the chief and responsible editor of Kanal 5 TV, and journalist Mihaela Dimovska because an internal party document was allegedly published in the news.

The announcement adds that the report is for “Unauthorized publication of a personal record”, punishable under Art. 148 of the Criminal Code, and emphasize that for the same thing, “a fine and a prison sentence of up to one year is threatened”.

We appreciate that this kind of criminal report is an abuse of legal mechanisms that cause uncertainty and self-censorship towards journalists and the media during such a sensitive pre-election period.

It is also problematic that the president of a political party publishes threatening comments on social networks about these legal threats against journalists because, in this way, hate speech against journalists and media workers can be encouraged.

Such lawsuits, especially when initiated by politicians, MPs, and public office holders, can cause journalists to self-censor and thereby violate citizens’ right to information. In the context of the Council of Europe, these lawsuits are known as strategic lawsuits to prevent public participation (SLAPP).