The safety of journalists, photographers and cameramen in public protests must be guaranteed

The Association of Journalists of Macedonia demands from the Ministry of Interior to guarantee the safety of the journalists, photographers, and cameramen present at the protests against the new anti-covid measures. Freedom of speech and the right to protest is a guaranteed right and constitutional category. Still, when the abuse of these rights endangers the safety and life of others, in this case, journalists, we demand an immediate preventive reaction of the institutions.

Hate speech against a particular group may incite hate violence, for which the criminal code provides for more significant prison sentences. Also, journalists who are officially present at public protests to cover them there are on duty in the interest of the public and the right to information. Violation of their safety from public events also denies the right of citizens to be informed.

At yesterday’s public protest, organized by a group of citizens encouraged by the new prevention measures, vulgar messages and harsh insults were sent to the journalists, thus indirectly endangering the safety of the journalists and cameramen who were present to cover this event. The anonymous speakers of this protest threatened the safety of the media workers through their speeches. They also encouraged the present crowd to participate in the humiliation of the journalists.

Photo: mia MK